Raffles's malkoha (Rhinortha chlorophaea) is a species of cuckoo (family Cuculidae). It was formerly often placed in Phaenicophaeus with the other malkohas, but it is a rather distinct species, with several autapomorphies and sexual dimorphism (which its presumed relatives all lack).
It might not even be very closely related to the true malkohas, but form a very basal lineage of cuckoos; in any case, its placement in a monotypic genus Rhinortha is well warranted.
It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. It was once found in Singapore but is now considered extirpated.[2] Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.[1]
Its diet consists of insects, including caterpillars, cicadas, crickets, beetles, and locusts.[3]
During courtship, the male Raffles's malkoha has been observed to stand on the base of the female's outstretched wings and hold a frog in its bill. It is unclear whether the frog is a gift to the female or whether the male keeps it afterward.[3]
References
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Rhinortha chlorophaea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22684107A93014746. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22684107A93014746.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ Seng, Lim Kim; Li, Yong Ding; Chuah, Lim Kim (2020). Birds of Malaysia & Singapore. Princeton University Press. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-691-20990-6.
- ^ a b Das, Indraneil; Hazebroek, Hans; Grafe, Ulmar (2021). "Leptomantis fasciatus (Boulenger, 1895) as a possible nuptial gift offered by a male Raffles's Malkoha, Rhinortha chlorophaea (Raffles, 1822)". Herpetology Notes. 14. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
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