Sirkeer Malkoha

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.

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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