Types of Birds: Malkoha

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Unlike many cuckoos, the malkohas are not slender bodied nor do they have pointed wings. Instead, malkohas are relatively large birds ranging about 15 to 25 inches in length, with rounded wings and long graduated tail. They share the characteristics of cuckoos in having zygodactyl feet; however, malkohas are not brood parasites, that is laying their eggs in the nest of other species of birds.

chestnut breasted malkoha, cuckoo
Chestnut-breasted Malkoha primarily lives in the forest canopy.

Only a few species of malkohas occurs here and most are restricted in this region. Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and Black-bellied Malkoha are among the commonest in the lowlands. Because of their cryptic nature and soft call which sounds like series of knocks, they are mostly overlooked. Yet, they are widespread in wooded areas including in plantations and villages where they may be seen gliding across rivers and rural roads.

black-bellied malkoha, cuckoo
Black-bellied Malkoha has white tipped tail feathers.

Raffles’s Malkoha, the smallest and the most strikingly colored, measures around 15 inches in length. In comparison with other malkohas, the sexes are readily distinguished in the field because the female has the rufous foreparts replaced by grey. They utter a peculiar mewing notes, unmistakable once learned, making them easily detected and identified.

raffles's malkoha, cuckoo
A female Raffles's Malkoha.


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