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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
African Cuckoo
Song
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Red-crested Malkoha
Song
Sharp, rising whistled phrase; clean ascending notes with emphatic quality from tropical forest perch.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
Least Concern
Red-crested Malkoha
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
Plumage
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Red-crested Malkoha
Plumage
Raffles's Malkoha: green above; pale buff below; red-tipped bill; bare red orbital skin; long graduated dark tail; southeast Asia
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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African Cuckoo (Cuculus gularis) — 32–35 cm. Very similar to Common Cuckoo; grey above; barred below; yellow bill base and orbital ring; long tail. Migratory intra-African breeder across sub-Saharan woodland and savanna. Brood parasite primarily targeting fork-tailed drongos. Insectivore.
Red-crested Malkoha (Dasylophus superciliosus) — 40–44 cm. Dark green above; rufous below; prominent red crest; bare red orbital ring; long white-tipped tail. Endemic to the Philippines (Luzon, Samar, Leyte). Inhabits primary and secondary forest. Non-parasitic. Insectivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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