Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Scale-feathered Malkoha

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Lepidogrammus cumingi

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Scale-feathered Malkoha
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Lepidogrammus cumingi
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 31.6 cm (12.4 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 167.175 g (5.90 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Scale-feathered Malkoha only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in Asia. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Scale-feathered Malkoha

Song

Loud, far-carrying whistled call; pure melodic notes resonating through dense tropical forest canopy.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Least Concern

Scale-feathered Malkoha

How to Tell Them Apart

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Plumage

Sulawesi Cuckoo: dark gray-brown above; pale below; long dark tail; yellow orbital ring; Sulawesi endemic; larger than most Cuculus

Scale-feathered Malkoha

About These Birds

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Sulawesi Cuckoo (Cuculus crassirostris) — 30–34 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with bold brown-grey barring; heavier bill than most Cuculus. Endemic to Sulawesi in montane forest. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Poorly known.

Scale-feathered Malkoha

Scale-feathered Malkoha (Lepidogrammus cumingi) — 40–45 cm. Unique among malkohas for the male's scaly white-tipped breast feathers; green above; bare red orbital skin. Endemic to the Philippines (Luzon and nearby islands). Inhabits forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Insectivore.

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