Red-crested Malkoha
Dasylophus superciliosus
A large, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest. Blackish in plumage, with a bluish gloss on the back and a white tail tip. Note the wide red eye-ring, the yellow bill with red at the base, and the shaggy red crest from the crown. Forages in vine tangles for insects and other animal prey. Similar in size and shape to Scale-feathered Malkoha, but Red-crested lacks the obvious white hood. Call is a sharp “jok!”
Identification
It is large, with a long tail and a unique crest. It is sexually monomorphic. Its upperparts, wings, and tail are black with bluish green gloss. Its superciliary, or eyebrow, is composed of long, loosely-webbed red feathers running from its lores to its nape. Its graduated tail feathers are tipped white, and its underparts are black with a dull greenish tinge.<p>Two subspecies are recognized
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Dasylophus superciliosus
- Authority
- (Dumont, 1823)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Prionopidae
- Genus
- Dasylophus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow Longbill
Macrosphenus flavicans
An unusual warbler with a long bill and yellow eyes. Brownish above and dull yellow below with a gray head and whitish throat. Found in rainforest, mainly in dense tangles at middle levels, usually in pairs or small groups. Similar in appearance to other longbills, but with a good view, separated by the coloration of the underparts. Most often detected by the distinctive song: a long series of clear whistled notes in which each note is slightly lower in pitch. The pattern is similar to that of Sabine’s Puffback, and the individual notes sound very batis-like.
Lesser Ground-Robin
Amalocichla incerta
A fairly small, long-legged bird of montane forest floor. Brown above with rufous edges to the flight feathers, buffy chest, white throat, and white spot behind the bill. Same general shape and habits as the Greater Ground-Robin, but Lesser occurs at lower elevations and is much smaller. Heard more often than seen. Song, a series of whistled notes, either rising, falling or the same pitch.
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Copsychus saularis
A medium-sized robin with a broad white wingbar running from the shoulder to the tip of the wing. Note white outertail feathers, particularly when in flight. Males sport black-and-white plumage while the females are grayish brown and white. Juveniles resemble females, but have a scaly head and upperparts. They have a good repertoire of melodious calls and are known to imitate other bird calls. The most commonly heard call is a whistle given at dawn. Most often seen singing from a high exposed perch. These birds are often seen in cultivated areas, open woodlands, and gardens.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.