Sirkeer Malkoha

Identification

The sirkeer malkoha is a distinctive non-parasitic cuckoo measuring 42–44 centimetres in length, easily recognised by its most striking feature: a curved red bill tipped with yellow. The bird's plumage is predominantly dark olive brown on the back, wings, and central tail feathers, with a rufous underside and a white-tipped, graduated tail. A greenish gloss adorns the wings and darker tail feathers, while dark shafts create prominent streaks on the pale breast. The eyes are particularly notable, rimmed with long, curved bristles that resemble eyelashes—an adaptation protecting the eyes when creeping through dense vegetation. A dark bare patch of skin around the eye, tapering behind it, accentuates the eye's size. The legs are grey, and the iris is reddish brown. Males and females are identical in plumage.

Range & Habitat

The sirkeer malkoha is found throughout the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with patchy distribution in Pakistan and Rajasthan. The species has shown range expansion in recent times, thought to have moved into the Sind region in the 1930s following canal irrigation development. Three subspecies are recognised: the nominate form occupies Peninsular India and extends into Sri Lanka, populations in northwestern India (Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sind) are paler with yellowish throats and breasts, while Eastern Himalayan birds are darker and larger.

These birds favour dry scrub forest and open woodland habitats, typically at elevations below about 1500 metres. They are particularly drawn to rocky, hilly terrain where they can forage on or near the ground amongst grasses and bushes.

Behaviour & Diet

The sirkeer malkoha is remarkably quiet, living up to its reputation as one of the silent members of the cuckoo family. When vocalising, it produces a low buzzing call or sharp, repeated kik or kek sounds reminiscent of rose-ringed parakeets. The bird's behaviour is distinctive: it forages singly or in pairs, creeping through dense vegetation on or close to the ground with a movement remarkably similar to that of a mongoose. When disturbed, it typically creeps through bushes and runs rather than flies, as its flight is weak.

Diet comprises caterpillars, insects and other invertebrates, small vertebrates, and occasionally berries and seeds. Unlike many cuckoos, the sirkeer malkoha is non-parasitic, building its own nest—a broad saucer of twigs placed low in bushes or trees and lined with green leaves. The breeding season spans March to August, with clutches of two to three pale yellowish-brown eggs. Courtship involves elaborate displays of bowing with splayed, upright tails and puffed plumage, followed by raising the head high with the bill pointed upward.

Best Time & Places to See It

The sirkeer malkoha's silent nature and ground-dwelling habits make it challenging to locate, though patient observers in appropriate habitat may spot one creeping through rocky scrub. The breeding season from March to August offers the best opportunity, when birds are more active. The species is distributed widely across dry scrub forests and rocky woodland throughout the Indian subcontinent, with populations varying by region and subspecies.

Photography Tips

Photographing this elusive species requires patience and fieldcraft. Look for movement in rocky scrub and low bushes where the bird forages. The distinctive red and yellow bill is a key identification feature worth capturing clearly. The bird's habit of running along the ground and creeping through vegetation provides opportunities for action shots, though the weak flight means flight photography is unlikely. Early morning may increase your chances of locating active birds before the heat of the day. The long tail and rufous underside provide striking compositional elements when the bird is visible.