African Cuckoo vs Sirkeer Malkoha

Cuculus gularis compared with Taccocua leschenaultii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Cuckoo Sirkeer Malkoha
Scientific Name Cuculus gularis Taccocua leschenaultii
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 41.8 cm (16.5 in) 32.6 cm (12.8 in)
Weight 105.0 g (3.70 oz) 175.75 g (6.20 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Cuckoo only

None

Sirkeer Malkoha only

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.

Sirkeer Malkoha

Song

Loud, far-carrying call with nasal quality; distinctive resonant notes given from forest canopy. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Cuckoo

Least Concern

Sirkeer Malkoha

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

Sirkeer 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.

Sirkeer Malkoha

Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii) — 42–47 cm. Brownish-olive above; rufous-buff below; long white-tipped tail; curved cherry-red bill with yellow tip. Inhabits dry scrub and thorny woodland across the Indian subcontinent. Non-parasitic; nests in thorny scrubs. Omnivore eating insects, lizards, and berries.

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