Sirkeer Malkoha

The sirkeer malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii) is a large, long-tailed cuckoo of the Indian subcontinent. Adults are roughly 42–44 cm long and weigh about 140–218 g. The plumage is mostly earthy grey-brown, becoming warmer and more rufous on the underparts, while the graduated tail ends in broad pale tips.

The most distinctive feature is the strongly curved red bill with a yellowish tip, combined with a dark bare patch around the eye. Unlike many more arboreal malkohas, the sirkeer malkoha spends a great deal of time close to the ground, giving it an unusually terrestrial way of life for a large cuckoo.

Sirkeer malkohas favour dry, fairly open habitats with dense cover near the ground. They occur in dry deciduous forest, thorn scrub, secondary growth, bushy woodland edges and semi-arid country where patches of shrubs alternate with more open ground.

The species is especially associated with the understorey rather than the canopy. Dense bushes provide concealment, while open patches and leaf litter create feeding areas. It is a resident species, although local movements can occur in response to season and conditions.

The diet is dominated by animal prey, particularly large insects and other invertebrates. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, locusts, mantises and similar prey are important, and small lizards and other small vertebrates may also be taken. Berries and other fruit are eaten occasionally.

Sirkeer malkohas are usually encountered alone or in pairs and can be surprisingly difficult to see despite their size. Much of their feeding is terrestrial: they walk and scurry through dense vegetation and leaf litter, inspecting the ground and low plants before seizing prey with the heavy hooked bill. They also glean food from shrubs and low branches.

When disturbed they often run rapidly along the ground or slip between bushes rather than immediately taking flight. Flight is generally low and rather laboured, often ending quickly in another patch of cover. This combination of terrestrial foraging, dense scrub habitat and reluctance to fly far makes the species easy to overlook until it crosses an opening or road.

The species is usually quiet. When it does call, it gives subdued buzzing notes as well as sharper repeated calls.

Unlike the brood-parasitic cuckoos familiar to many people, the sirkeer malkoha builds its own nest and raises its own young. Breeding timing varies across the range, with nesting reported from March to August depending on locality.

The nest is a broad, fairly shallow platform or saucer of twigs, commonly lined with green leaves and placed in a low tree, thorny bush or other dense vegetation. A clutch usually contains two or three chalky white eggs. Both parents take part in caring for the brood.

The sirkeer malkoha is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List. Its range covers much of the Indian subcontinent, but this broad global category masks severe regional change.

State of India’s Birds 2025 reports a long-term decline of about 71.33% in India, together with a current annual decline of about 3.97%. The species is resident and associated with woodland and scrub across India. The causes of the decline are not yet fully resolved, so the sharp decline cannot currently be tied to a single identified threat.