Western Koel vs Mentawai Malkoha
Eudynamys scolopaceus compared with Phaenicophaeus oeneicaudus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Western Koel | Mentawai Malkoha |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eudynamys scolopaceus | Phaenicophaeus oeneicaudus |
| Order | Cuculiformes | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae | Cuculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 33.5 cm (13.2 in) |
| Weight | 230.0 g (8.11 oz) | 154.0 g (5.43 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Western Koel
Loud, far-carrying nasal call; distinctive penetrating notes audible through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Mentawai Malkoha
Loud, far-carrying raucous call; harsh penetrating notes carrying through dense tropical forest. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Western Koel
Mentawai Malkoha
How to Tell Them Apart
Western Koel
Shining Bronze-cuckoo: brilliant iridescent golden-green above; white barred below; bronze-green head; reddish eye; small size
Mentawai Malkoha
Crested Coua (large): large gray-blue coua; blue-gray body; brilliant bare facial skin; long white-tipped dark tail; Madagascar
About These Birds
Western Koel
Western Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) — 39–46 cm. Male glossy black; female brown with white spots and barred underparts; red eye. Widespread from South Asia through mainland Southeast Asia. Brood parasite targeting crows and mynas. Frugivore and insectivore. Its rising wailing call heralds the Indian summer.
Mentawai Malkoha
Mentawai Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus oeneicaudus) — 40–45 cm. Green and chestnut malkoha; opalescent bronze-green tail; bare orbital skin. Endemic to the Mentawai Islands off Sumatra, Indonesia. Restricted to primary and secondary forest. Non-parasitic. Insectivore. Vulnerable due to its small island range.