Red-crested Malkoha
NameRed-crested Malkoha
Common NameRed-crested Malkoha
Scientific NamePhaenicophaeus superciliosus
FamilyCuculidae
Wingspan (cm)42
Length (cm)40
Weight (g)125
Plumage DetailsThe body is primarily glossy black with a greenish or purplish sheen. It has a distinctive bright red, spiky crest on its head, and a bare red patch around the eye. The bill is pale green or yellowish-green. The tail is long, graduated, and black with broad white tips on the outer tail feathers.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of harsh, guttural croaks and cackles, often repeated. It can also produce softer, cooing notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Philippines, found on Luzon and several smaller nearby islands.
Identifying FeaturesBright red, spiky crest, Glossy black body plumage, Pale greenish-yellow bill, Bare red skin around the eye, Long tail with broad white tips on outer feathers
Description
This striking cuckoo is characterized by its glossy black plumage, a prominent bright red crest, and a pale, often greenish bill. It is an arboreal bird, typically found foraging for insects and fruits in the mid-canopy of forests, often moving stealthily through the vegetation.
