African Cuckoo vs Raffles's Malkoha
Cuculus gularis compared with Rhinortha chlorophaea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Cuckoo | Raffles's Malkoha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cuculus gularis | Rhinortha chlorophaea |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | 23.6 cm (9.3 in) |
| Weight | 105.0 g (3.70 oz) | 52.5 g (1.85 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.
Raffles's Malkoha
Loud, far-carrying resonant call; deep powerful notes audible through dense forest in Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
African Cuckoo
Raffles's 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
Raffles's 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.
Raffles's Malkoha
Raffles's Malkoha (Rhinortha chlorophaea) — 30–35 cm. Slender; rufous above with green gloss; pale grey below; long white-tipped tail; red bill and orbital skin. Inhabits primary and tall secondary forest of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Non-parasitic; forages in the mid-storey. Insectivore; eats caterpillars and large insects.