Asian Emerald Cuckoo

Asian Emerald Cuckoo
This species is defined as a Review Species . Please submit your records of this species via our record submission page .

Scientific Name: Chrysococcyx maculatus

Malay Name: Sewah-Zamrud Asia

Chinese Name: 翠金鹃

Range: Found from Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Indochina with some population wintering to southern Indochina, Thai-Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Taxonomy: Monotypic.

Size: 17 cm

Identification: Distinguished from other male Chrysococcyx cuckoos of Singapore by the glossy golden-tinged emerald-green plumage with white bars on lower breast to vent and dark-tipped yellowish bill. Female has rufous crown/nape and coppery-green wings and tail. Juvenile resembles female but less green above with some dark and buff bars on crown to mantle.

Similar looking species: Violet Cuckoo, Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo

Habitat: Forest, forest edge, parks and gardens.

Behaviour/Ecology: Frequents the canopy and crown of tall trees.

Local Status: Vagrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)

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Past records in our database:

Showing only accepted records. Note that records currently under review are also not displayed, and the list may not be a full list of records of this species in Singapore. For more details, check the database here.

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus
Average number of individuals by week based on Singapore Bird Database data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024 (all records)
Peak weeks Jan 01-Jan 07, Dec 24-Dec 30
Early date 29 Nov 2021
Late date 04 Apr 2020
Recently recorded from Dec to Apr, but appearances more likely timed with large caterpillar hatches.

References:

BirdLife International. (2018). Chrysococcyx maculatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22684000A130087242.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

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