Rhinortha chlorophaea
Raffles's Malkoha (Rhinortha chlorophaea) is a truly striking and distinctive member of the cuckoo family, standing out with its vibrant coloration and unique morphology. Measuring approximately 33-35 cm (13-14 inches) in length and weighing around 70-80 grams, this medium-sized bird captivates with its bold appearance. Males boast a rich chestnut body, contrasting with a greyish head and neck, but their most distinguishing features are a brilliant yellow-green bill and a prominent patch of b...
Found primarily in evergreen broadleaf forests, both primary and secondary, often favoring the middle and upper canopy. It inhabits lowlands, typically up to 1,200 meters in elevation, occasionally frequenting mangrove edges or rubber plantations.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on large insects such as mantises, grasshoppers, stick insects, and caterpillars, supplemented by spiders and small vertebrates like lizards. Occasionally consumes fruit.
Raffles's Malkoha is a diurnal bird, typically observed singly or in pairs, moving stealthily through the forest undergrowth and mid-canopy. It employs a deliberate foraging strategy, meticulously searching foliage for insects and other small prey, often hanging upside down to glean food. Its fli...
Raffles's Malkoha is endemic to the Sundaic region of Southeast Asia, with its primary distribution encompassing the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and several smaller adjacent islands. Its breeding range extends across southern Myanmar (Tenasserim region), extreme southern Thailand, Peninsula...
Least Concern
- Raffles's Malkoha belongs to a monotypic genus, *Rhinortha*, making it the sole representative of its kind. - Unlike many cuckoos, it is not a brood parasite; it builds its own nest and raises its own young. - Males possess a striking bright yellow-green bill and a patch of vibrant red bare ski...