African Emerald Cuckoo

Overview

The African emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) is a species of cuckoo native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is an Old World cuckoo belonging to the family Cuculidae and is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Males display a green back and head with a yellow breast, whereas females are barred green and brown on the back and green and white on the breast.
• A distinctive four-note whistled call, often remembered by the mnemonic 'Hello Ju-dy'.
• Sexually dimorphic plumage distinguishes the two sexes in the field.

Habitat

The species' range covers most of sub-Saharan Africa, extending across numerous countries from West Africa to the Horn of Africa and down to South Africa. Its distribution spans approximately 11,400,000 km², though concerns exist regarding habitat reduction and fragmentation in riparian areas and lowland forests.

Diet

The bird feeds primarily on insects such as caterpillars and ants, supplementing its diet occasionally with fruit. Foraging activity is concentrated in the middle and top layers of the forest canopy.

Did you know?

In the Zigula language, the cuckoo's call is translated as 'let's go and bathe', while in Zulu it is known as 'little children', inspiring the song lyric 'Little children, don't get married!'