Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Chrysococcyx maculatus
Family: Cuckoos · Status: Vagrant · Size: 17 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Breeds from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Indochina, with some populations wintering to southern Indochina, the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
Male has glossy emerald-green upperparts and upper breast, white lower breast to vent with green and bronze bars, and dark-tipped yellow bill. Female and juvenile have pale rufous crown and nape, and coppery-green wings and tail; separated from Violet Cuckoo by the obvious contrast between nape and upperparts, and lack of rufous bars on upperparts. Separated from Little Bronze Cuckoo and Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo by more extensive emerald wash, bicoloured bill, and brighter rufous crown and nape.
Forest, forest edge, parks and gardens.
Forages mainly in tree canopy, taking insects including caterpillars and ants.