African Emerald Cuckoo
How did I find this beauty? Well what do you do when you realise how much you didn’t appreciate birds in a place you used to live… you go back! I did some bird photography back when I was in Accra but I spent my lunchtime capturing a few bird photos. During my recent visit to Ghana, I decided it was time to go where the birds are. I spotted this African Emerald Cuckoo in the famous Kakum National park on one of my visits. I identified and photographed 70 lifers on a trip where I was able to visit only 2 so called hotspots, coming back with over 18k images on my memory card which I’m dreading having to sort and cull. Send me a flickr mail if you’d like to tag along sometime.
FACTS
The African Emerald Cuckoo is frequently regarded as "a gem" among avian species. Like its counterparts, this cuckoo captures the interest of bird watchers with its striking green plumage and unique call. It plays an essential role in the ecosystems it occupies and presents intriguing challenges and opportunities for those working in conservation. This bird is primarily located throughout sub-Saharan Africa, extending from West Africa to East Africa, with sightings noted as far south as Angola and Zambia. It flourishes in various forest environments, including lowland rainforests, montane forests, and woodlands.
Additionally, the African Emerald Cuckoo holds significant cultural importance in many African traditions. Its vivid colors and elusive behavior have inspired various myths and stories, often symbolizing renewal and good luck. The bird’s presence is frequently viewed as a sign of favorable times, with some beliefs linking its call to the start of the rainy season, indicating a time of agricultural prosperity. These cultural ties underscore the profound relationship between local communities and the natural environment.
Their diet mainly includes caterpillars, beetles, and various insects. They possess a unique ability to eat hairy or toxic caterpillars that are often avoided by other birds, providing them with a competitive advantage in their ecological niche. Additionally, they occasionally consume fruits and berries, which helps diversify their diet with plant-based materials.
African Emerald Cuckoo
How did I find this beauty? Well what do you do when you realise how much you didn’t appreciate birds in a place you used to live… you go back! I did some bird photography back when I was in Accra but I spent my lunchtime capturing a few bird photos. During my recent visit to Ghana, I decided it was time to go where the birds are. I spotted this African Emerald Cuckoo in the famous Kakum National park on one of my visits. I identified and photographed 70 lifers on a trip where I was able to visit only 2 so called hotspots, coming back with over 18k images on my memory card which I’m dreading having to sort and cull. Send me a flickr mail if you’d like to tag along sometime.
FACTS
The African Emerald Cuckoo is frequently regarded as "a gem" among avian species. Like its counterparts, this cuckoo captures the interest of bird watchers with its striking green plumage and unique call. It plays an essential role in the ecosystems it occupies and presents intriguing challenges and opportunities for those working in conservation. This bird is primarily located throughout sub-Saharan Africa, extending from West Africa to East Africa, with sightings noted as far south as Angola and Zambia. It flourishes in various forest environments, including lowland rainforests, montane forests, and woodlands.
Additionally, the African Emerald Cuckoo holds significant cultural importance in many African traditions. Its vivid colors and elusive behavior have inspired various myths and stories, often symbolizing renewal and good luck. The bird’s presence is frequently viewed as a sign of favorable times, with some beliefs linking its call to the start of the rainy season, indicating a time of agricultural prosperity. These cultural ties underscore the profound relationship between local communities and the natural environment.
Their diet mainly includes caterpillars, beetles, and various insects. They possess a unique ability to eat hairy or toxic caterpillars that are often avoided by other birds, providing them with a competitive advantage in their ecological niche. Additionally, they occasionally consume fruits and berries, which helps diversify their diet with plant-based materials.