Dark Hawk-Cuckoo vs Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Hierococcyx bocki compared with Phaenicophaeus curvirostris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Dark Hawk-Cuckoo Chestnut-breasted Malkoha
Scientific Name Hierococcyx bocki Phaenicophaeus curvirostris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 35.9 cm (14.1 in) 32.9 cm (13.0 in)
Weight 137.0 g (4.83 oz) 151.525 g (5.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size -- 2-3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo only

None

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha only

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Song & Call Comparison

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh quality; penetrating notes carrying through dense forest in South Asia.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Song

Loud, far-carrying plaintive call; pure resonant notes carrying through open dry scrub habitat. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Least Concern

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

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How to Tell Them Apart

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Plumage

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo: dark brown above; pale below with dense dark barring; hawk-like; long barred tail; yellow orbital ring; dark morph

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Plumage

Coquerel's Coua: olive-gray above; rufous-buff below; bare blue facial skin; long white-tipped tail; Madagascar dry forest cuckoo

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About These Birds

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo

Dark Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx bocki) — 28–31 cm. Dark grey above; pale below with darker streaking; barred tail. Restricted to montane forest of the Malay Peninsula. Brood parasite. Insectivore. Rare; poorly documented.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) — 44–50 cm. Dark green above; chestnut breast; whitish belly; decurved green bill; bare red orbital skin; long white-tipped tail. Widespread in lowland forest and mangroves from the Malay Peninsula to the Philippines. Non-parasitic. Insectivore; specialises in large caterpillars.

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