Sulawesi Cuckoo vs Black-bellied Malkoha

Cuculus crassirostris compared with Phaenicophaeus diardi

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sulawesi Cuckoo Black-bellied Malkoha
Scientific Name Cuculus crassirostris Phaenicophaeus diardi
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 41.2 cm (16.2 in) 25.4 cm (10.0 in)
Weight 85.0 g (3.00 oz) 65.4 g (2.31 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sulawesi Cuckoo only

None

Black-bellied 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.

Black-bellied Malkoha

Song

Loud, melodic far-carrying call; rich resonant notes audible impressively through tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sulawesi Cuckoo

Near Threatened

Black-bellied 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

Black-bellied 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.

Black-bellied Malkoha

Black-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus diardi) — 36–40 cm. Dark glossy green above; entirely black below; long tail; bare red orbital skin; green bill. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Non-parasitic. Insectivore.

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