Image via Macaulay Library
Raffles's Malkoha
- Scientific name
- Rhinortha chlorophaea
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Conservation status
- Near threatened
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Long
Where it came from
Raffles's Malkoha was formally described in 1821 by the British naturalist Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who encountered the species during his time in Sumatra. It is a member of the cuckoo family, distinct for its specialized adaptation to the dense, low-altitude evergreen forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Its discovery occurred during a period of intense European exploration of Southeast Asian biodiversity, where the goal was to catalog the unique avian fauna of the region for the scientific collections of the British East India Company.
The bird's design is characterized by its broad, rounded wings and remarkably long tail, features that reflect its lifestyle as an agile, skulking predator within thick foliage. Unlike many cuckoos, the species is not parasitic and builds its own nests, a behavioral trait that drew significant interest from ornithologists studying avian social structures. It has historically been admired by taxonomists for the distinct sexual dimorphism in its plumage, which serves as a primary reference point for identifying the species in its natural habitat.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Raffles's Malkoha
Raffles's Malkoha is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Raffles's Malkoha on collecto.rs?
Raffles's Malkoha doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Raffles's Malkoha?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Raffles's Malkoha catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Raffles's Malkoha is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
