Phaenicophaeus oeneicaudus
The Mentawai Malkoha is a strikingly beautiful and elusive species, endemic to the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Reaching lengths of approximately 42-44 cm (16.5-17.3 in), this large, slender cuckoo boasts a dark, glossy green plumage on its upperparts, transitioning to a grayish belly. Its most distinctive field mark is a broad, bare patch of bright red skin surrounding the eye and extending onto the lores, contrasting sharply with its heavy, prominent apple-green bil...
Found exclusively in lowland primary and mature secondary tropical moist broadleaf forests, typically occupying the mid-canopy and subcanopy layers. It thrives in dense, undisturbed forest environments.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on large insects like caterpillars, stick insects, and mantids, supplemented by small reptiles and frogs. Forages by gleaning prey directly from foliage and branches.
Mentawai Malkohas are diurnal and typically observed alone or in pairs, moving with a slow, deliberate grace through the dense foliage. Their foraging strategy involves meticulously gleaning large insects, such as caterpillars, stick insects, and mantids, along with small reptiles and frogs, dire...
The Mentawai Malkoha is strictly endemic to the Mentawai Islands, an archipelago off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Its distribution encompasses the main islands of Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai, and South Pagai. This species is entirely resident, exhibiting no migratory movements beyond...
Near Threatened
- The Mentawai Malkoha is a true island specialist, found exclusively on the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. - Unlike many of its cuckoo relatives, this species is non-parasitic, building its own nest and raising its own offspring. - Its most striking feature is the broad, bare patch of bri...