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Song & Call Comparison
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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.
Green-billed Malkoha
Song
Loud, far-carrying call with mellow quality; rich resonant notes given repeatedly from tropical forest.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
African Cuckoo
Least Concern
Green-billed Malkoha
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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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
Green-billed Malkoha
Plumage
Sirkeer Malkoha: rufous-brown above; pale buff below; large curved yellow-red bill; graduated dark tail; yellow orbital ring; India
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) — 48–55 cm. One of the largest malkohas; grey-green above; dark grey below; long tail with broad white tips; large curved green bill; bare red orbital skin. Widespread in forest and forest edge from Nepal through Southeast Asia and southern China. Non-parasitic. Insectivore and frugivore.
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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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