Black-bellied Malkoha
NameBlack-bellied Malkoha
Common NameBlack-bellied Malkoha
Scientific NamePhaenicophaeus diardi
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)40
Length (cm)39
Weight (g)125
Plumage DetailsThe head and upper breast are grey, contrasting with a dark back, wings, and belly that often show a metallic greenish-blue sheen. A prominent patch of bare, bright red skin surrounds the eye, and the bill is pale greenish-yellow. The long tail is dark with distinctive white tips on the outer feathers.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations consist of soft, low, mournful cooing notes, which can accelerate into a trill or a series of 'kew-kew-kew' calls.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeThis species is found in Southeast Asia, inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and parts of southern Thailand and Myanmar.
Identifying FeaturesBright red bare facial skin, Pale greenish-yellow bill, Grey head and upper breast, Dark body with greenish sheen, Long tail with white tips on outer feathers
Description
The Black-bellied Malkoha is a medium-sized, slender cuckoo characterized by its striking grey head, bright red bare facial skin, and a pale bill. It moves quietly through the mid-story and canopy of dense lowland forests, primarily foraging for insects and small vertebrates.
