Phaenicophaeus diardi
The Black-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus diardi) is a striking, medium-sized cuckoo native to the lowland forests of Southeast Asia. Measuring approximately 38-40 cm (15-16 inches) in length, it is characterized by its glossy black underparts, contrasting with a soft gray back, wings, and head. A prominent patch of bare, vivid red orbital skin around a pale eye is a key identification mark, complemented by a dull greenish-yellow bill and a long, graduated black tail tipped with white. Unlike...
Inhabits lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen broadleaf forests, secondary forests, and sometimes rubber plantations, typically at elevations up to 1200 meters.
Feeds primarily on large insects such as mantids, cicadas, and stick insects, along with spiders, caterpillars, small lizards, and occasional fruits like figs, all foraged arboreally from foliage and branches.
This shy and secretive malkoha typically moves slowly and deliberately through dense foliage, often remaining concealed in the mid-canopy or undergrowth. It is diurnal, usually observed singly or in pairs, carefully gleaning insects and other prey from leaves and branches with a stealthy approach...
The Black-bellied Malkoha is a resident species found throughout the Sundaic lowlands of Southeast Asia. Its primary range includes Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (encompassing the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah, Brunei Darussalam, and the Indonesian region of Kalimantan), and the ex...
Least Concern
- The Black-bellied Malkoha is one of the rare non-brood parasitic cuckoos, meaning it builds its own nest and raises its own young, a stark contrast to many of its cuckoo relatives. - Its genus name, *Phaenicophaeus*, refers to "phoenix-colored" or "purple-colored," though the Black-bellied Malk...