African Cuckoo vs Scale-feathered Malkoha
Cuculus gularis compared with Lepidogrammus cumingi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Scale-feathered Malkoha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Lepidogrammus cumingi |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 31.6 cm (12.4 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 167.175 g (5.90 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Cuckoo
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes given from tall African forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Scale-feathered Malkoha
Loud, far-carrying whistled call; pure melodic notes resonating through dense tropical forest canopy.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Scale-feathered Malkoha
How to Tell Them Apart
African Cuckoo
African Cuckoo: gray above; white below with rufous barring; long dark tail; yellow eye-ring; African migrant similar to Common
Scale-feathered Malkoha
About These Birds
African Cuckoo
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.
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.