Bird Guide

Klaas's Cuckoo vs Violet Cuckoo

Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas)

Klaas's Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx klaas

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Klaas's cuckoo is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 inches) in length. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males have a glossy green body with few markings and plain white underparts. Females have a bronze-brown body, greenish wing coverts and faintly barred white underparts. Viewed in flight, the male is largely white with dark primaries and females appear mostly brown. Males and females both have a small white post-ocular patch.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Klaas's Cuckoo
Recorded by Anne Ndung'u · Call, song · Kilifi County, Kenya · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sri Srikumar · CC0
Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus)

Violet Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

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The males have glossy violet feathers on the head and upper parts of the body. The blackish tail has a white tip, and barred outer feathers. The most spectacular feature is the brightly iridescent violet chin and upper breast. The belly is white with broad black, green or violet bars. Mature males also have a red eye-ring. The closely related species, C. amethystinus has a glossy blue-violet throat patch rather than reddish violet of this cuckoo. The females have mottled, greenish-bronze upper parts and a dark brown crown. There are white markings around the eyes and sometimes on the forehead.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Gerard Chartier · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Klaas's Cuckoo and Violet Cuckoo.