Sirkeer Malkoha Latest News
The rare Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii), a bird species typically found in Uttarakhand's plains, has been recently recorded for the first time in the Uttarkashi district.
About Sirkeer Malkoha
- The sirkeer malkoha, or sirkeer cuckoo, is a special type of cuckoo bird.
- Scientific Name: Taccocua leschenaultii
- Unlike some cuckoos, it does not lay its eggs in other birds' nests.
- Distribution: This species is widespread across the sub-Himalayan Indian subcontinent, extending into Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and, more patchily, into Pakistan and Rajasthan.
- Habitat: It is typically found in scrub and thin forest habitats, often favoring hilly terrain but generally residing below an altitude of about 1500 meters above sea level.
Features of Sirkeer Malkoha
- It is about 42–44 centimetres long.
- It is notable for its long tail and the rich olive-brown plumage adorning its upper side.
- The underparts are typically a lighter shade, sometimes with a yellowish tinge.
- It has a unique curved red beak with a yellow tip.
- Its legs are grey.
- These birds are very quiet, and male and female sirkeer malkohas look exactly alike.
- These birds have special feet called zygodactyle feet. This means two toes point forward and two point backward. This helps them grip branches and move on the ground.
- They eat small lizards, insects, and sometimes berries and seeds.
- Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Source: TOI
Sirkeer Malkoha FAQs
Q1: What is the primary habitat of the Sirkeer Malkoha?
Ans: Dry scrub forest and open woodland
Q2: What is distinctive about the Sirkeer Malkoha's beak?
Ans: It's curved red with a yellow tip
Q3: What is the Sirkeer Malkoha's primary food source?
Ans: Insects and small lizards
Q4: How does the Sirkeer Malkoha typically forage for food?
Ans: On the ground or in bushes
Q5: What is unique about the Sirkeer Malkoha's breeding habits?
Ans: It builds its own nest
