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
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.
Sirkeer Malkoha
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
African Cuckoo
Sirkeer 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
Sirkeer Malkoha
Red-capped Coua: rufous crown; gray body; white below; bare blue facial skin; long white-tipped tail; Madagascar endemic; rufous cap
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.