Native Animals

Cacomantis merulinus

Plaintive Cuckoo
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2016
QR Code
SSN 20964
Scan QR code for mobile experience
Download QR:

Taxonomy

Description

A fairly small cuckoo measuring about 21-23 centimetres in length, Cacomantis merulinus is a species of bird belonging to family Cuculidae. This species is commonly known as the plaintive cuckoo. It inhabits forest edges, open woodlands, scrubs, grasslands, farmlands, parks and gardens. The plaintiff cuckoo mostly feeds on insects such as beetles, bugs, termites and numerous soft-bodies species. It may take some fruits too.

The male has grey–brown upper plumage, orange below plumage, pale grey head, throat and upper breast, dark greyish brown mantle and wings, white-tipped tail feathers, orange-yellowish legs and feet, red eyes and yellowish bill below and black above. While the female mostly resembles the male; but often occurs in a "hepatic" morph with a reddish-brown upper plumage with dark bars. Its plumages below are paler with fainter barring. It also has a light stripe over its eyes and the tail is barred along the entire length. The juvenile looks like the hepatic female but is duller and has dark streaks instead of bars on the crown and throat.

As numerous cuckoos, the plaintive cuckoo is a brood parasite. It favours laying its eggs in the closed nests with a narrow entrance, built by small passerines such as ioras, prinias, cisticolas and tailorbirds. The eggs are similar to those of the host species but are larger.

Habitats

No Description Suitability Seasonality
1
Artificial - Terrestrial → Arable Land
Suitable Breeding
2
Artificial - Terrestrial → Arable Land
Suitable Non-breeding
3
Artificial - Terrestrial → Pastureland
Suitable Non-breeding
4
Artificial - Terrestrial → Pastureland
Suitable Breeding
5
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
Suitable Non-breeding
6
Artificial - Terrestrial → Rural Gardens
Suitable Breeding
7
Artificial - Terrestrial → Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest
Suitable Non-breeding
8
Artificial - Terrestrial → Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest
Suitable Breeding
9
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
Suitable Non-breeding
10
Forest → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
Suitable Breeding
11
Grassland → Subtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Grassland
Suitable Non-breeding
12
Grassland → Subtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Grassland
Suitable Breeding
13
Shrubland → Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland
Suitable Non-breeding
14
Shrubland → Subtropical/Tropical Dry Shrubland
Suitable Breeding
15
Shrubland → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Shrubland
Suitable Non-breeding
16
Shrubland → Subtropical/Tropical Moist Shrubland
Suitable Breeding
References : http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes/habitats-classification-scheme-ver3

Assessment

Year Published Assessment Red List Category Version
2016 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
3.1
2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A
1988 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Least Concern (LC)
N/A

Location

by State Location
  • Johore 1
  • Kedah 1
  • Kelantan 1
  • Pahang 2
  • Penang 1
  • Perak 1
  • Selangor 2
  • Federal Territories of Putrajaya 2
Based on publications, specimens, and images

Biodiversity Experts

Profile
Abdul Rahman (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Protected Areas
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Azmi Mat Ali (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds (Taxonomy)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife Trade
  • PM
Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Birds
  • Mammals
  • Rodents
  • Treeshrews
  • Squirrels
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Data Analysis
  • Ecosystems
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
Ismail Bin Hj. Mamat (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Meor Amran Bin Meor Zulkifilee (Mr.)
Birdgroup Taman Negara (BGTN)
  • Birds
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • Tourism
  • PM
Mohammad Shahfiz Azman (Mr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Amphibians
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Amphibians
  • Reptiles
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Law and Policy
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • Systematics
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC)
  • National Policy on Biological Diversity
  • Policy
  • Research and Development (R&D)
  • Zoonotic
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Mohd Abdul Muin Bin Md Akil (Mr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Snakes
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • Protected Areas
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Alien Species
Rahmah Binti Ilias (Mrs.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Protected Areas
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Spiders
  • Insects
  • Biodiversity
  • Protected Areas
  • PM
  • W
Rosli Ramli (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Birds
  • Biodiversity
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Protected Areas
  • Marine & Coastal
  • PM
  • W
Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli (Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Fishes (Ecology)
  • Molluscs (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Water
Yeap Chin Aik (Mr.)
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)
  • Birds (Ecology)
  • Awareness
  • Biodiversity
  • Biological Resource
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Education
  • Forest
  • Landscape
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Traditional Knowledge (TK)
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References

Article
  1. Azman, N.M., Abdul Latip, N.S., Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shafie, N.J. & Khairuddin, N.L. (2011). Avian Diversity and Feeding Guilds in a Secondary Forest, an Oil Palm Plantation and a Paddy Field in Riparian Areas of the Kerian River Basin, Perak, Malaysia. Tropical Life Sciences Research (TSLR) 22 (2), 45–64
  2. David, G., Roslan, A., Azhar, I. & Abdullah, M.T. (2017). Birds in Tanjung Mentong, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Wildlife and Parks 32, 85-92. http://www.wildlife.gov.my/images/document/penerbitan/jurnal/2017/09.pdf
  3. Jambari, A., Azhar, B., Ibrahim, N.L., Jamian, S., Hussin, A., Chong, L.P., Noor, H.M., Yusof, E. & Zakaria, M. (2012). Avian Biodiversity and Conservation in Malaysian Oil Palm Production Areas. Journal of Oil Palm Research 24, 1277-1286. http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/publications/joprv24april2012-Asrul.pdf
  4. Joeman, B.D, G.Hubert, Petol & V., Rudolf (2019). Avifaunal survey of Ulu Kalang Forest Reserve in the district of Tenom, Sabah, Malaysia. Sepilok Bulletin. 28, 69-80
  5. Shahrul Anuar, M.S., Azman, N.M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Puan, C.L., Shafie, N.J., Omar, M.Y. & Azmi, N. (2017). Bird Survey of Gunung Basor Forest Reserve, Jeli, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. , 86-93
  6. Sodhi, N.S., Briffett, C., Lee, B.P.Y-H. & Subaraj, R. (1999). An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplements (6), 125-130
  7. Suis, M.A.F., Miun, J., Tingkoi, L. & Nilus, R. (2019). Inventory of terrestrial mammals and birds in Sungai Pin Conservation Area, Kinabatangan. Sepilok Bulletin. 28, 49-68. http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/docs/frc/Sepilok%20Bulletin%20Vol%2028%20(2019).pdf
  8. Tuen, A.A., Sapian, A.F., Ismail, K., Peter, C., Haba, M.H.A.-H. & Lee, C.C. (2018). Avifauna in Logged-Over Forest of Upper Baleh, Sarawak. Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology 8 (2), 66-74. http://publisher.unimas.my/ojs/index.php/BJRST/article/view/1197/711
Book
  1. Birds of Tembeling Hornbill Valley, 2022. Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Malaysia. pp. 75.
  2. Island Life: A Natural History of Pulau Tengah, Johor, Malaysia, 2018. WS Lifestyle, Singapore. pp. 163.
  3. MNS Bird Conservation Council. 2015. A Checklist of the Birds of Malaysia Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society - Bird Conservation Council, Malaysia. pp. 60.
  4. Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya, 1998. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia. pp. 100.
  5. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Mohd Nasir, A.H., Mohamed Zin, Y., Richard, A.M. & Latiff, A. (2013). Banjaran Bintang Gunung Inas, Kedah: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Kepelbagaian Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 245.
  6. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Yahaya, M., Mohd Nasir, A.H., Muhamad, A. & Latiff, A. (2012). Hutan Simpan Gunung Belumut, Johor: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Kepelbagaian Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 271.
  7. Abdul Rahman, A.R., Koh, H.L., Muhamad, A., Wan Yusof, W.K. & Latiff, A. (2011). Hutan Simpan Melaka: Pengurusan Hutan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Kepelbagaian Biologi dan Socio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 315.
  8. Al Zahri, M. & Norhayati, A. (2022). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS), Volume 2. Kementerian Tenaga & Sumber Asli, Malaysia. pp. 100. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  9. Asyraf, M., Mohd Abdul Muin, M.A., Shahrul Anuar, M.S. & Rahmad, Z. (2015). Pictorial Guide To The Plant and Bird Life of Byram Mangrove Forest, Penang. Penerbit USM, Malaysia. pp. 190.
  10. Dunning Jr, J. B. (2007). CRC handbook of avian body masses, Volume 2. CRC Press , United States of America. pp. 1-643.
  11. Francis, C.M. (1998). A Pocket Guide To The Birds of Borneo, Third Edition. The Sabah Society, Malaysia.
  12. Gregory-Smith, R. (1995). The Birds of Sarawak: A Pocket Checklist. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia. pp. 21.
  13. Gumal, M.T., Hon, J. & Kong, D. (2008). Birds and Bats of Loagan Bunut National Park Sarawak, Malaysia, Issue/No. 11. Peat Swamp Forest Project, UNDP/GEF Funded (MAL/99/G31) in collaboration with the Sarawak Forest Department and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Malaysia. pp. 1-105.
  14. Hazebroek, H.P., Adlin, T.Z. & Sinun, W. (2011). Danum Valley: The Rain Forest. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Malaysia. pp. 615.
  15. Ilias, R., Aminurddin Ahmad, M., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Abidin, F.A.Z. (2007). Avifauna: Kuala Gula, Perak: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  16. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohd Nor, D.H. (2007). Avifauna: Taman Negara: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 44.
  17. Jamaludin, H., Yatim, H.S.H., Abu Hashim, A.K., Saaban, S., Hassan, H., Othman, A. & Mohamad Rufino, B.M. (2007). Avifauna: Paya Indah Wetlands: Senarai Spesies. Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Malaysia (PERHILITAN), Malaysia. pp. 21.
  18. Jeyarajasingam, A., Norhayati, A., Yasser, M.A. & Ilias, R. (2016). Burung-burung Malaysia : Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Penerbit UKM, Bangi, Malaysia. pp. 165. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ] — [ | eBook (EPUB) ]
  19. Myers, S. (2009). A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. Simon Papps, Singapore. pp. 272.
  20. Nee, T. A. & Norhayati, N. (2018). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 3rd Edition, Volume 3. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 174.
  21. Omar, R. (2018). Birds of the Forests of Peninsular Malaysia: A Photographic Guide. Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, Malaysia. pp. 351.
  22. Phang, S.M., Affendi, Y.A., Ooi, J.L.S. & Haji, A.J.M. (2008). Natural History of The Pulau Tioman Group of Islands. Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya, Malaysia. pp. 292.
  23. Praveena, B.K. & Maria Arlene, J.A.S. (2013). Compendium of Facts and Figures. 2nd Edition. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 161.
  24. Rajendran, S. & Jeyarajasingam, A. (2021). Malaysian Birds - A Glimpse. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Malaysia. pp. 1-335.
  25. Rosla, M. (2014). Burung-burung di Semenanjung Malaysia: Hak Milik Kita yang Terlepas Pandang, Volume 1. Red Door To Hunt, Malaysia. pp. 369.
  26. Shaharuddin, M.I., Mokhtar, M.I., Wan Yusof, W.A., M. Rahim, R. & Latiff, A. (2004). Taman Negeri Endau Rompin : Pengurusan, Persekitaran Fizikal dan Biologi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 378.
  27. Jeyarajasingam, A. (2012). A Field Guide to the Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford. pp. 449.
Chapter in book
  1. Inventori Hidupan Liar di Putrajaya. In Pelan Pengurusan Hidupan Liar Putrajaya. PERHILITAN & Perbadanan Putrajaya. pp. 1-52.

Acknowledgements :- Mr. Abdul Razak Mohd Nor Rasid, Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Mr. Allen Jeyarajasingam, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Mr. Badrul Amin Bin Jaffar, Ms. Fatin Farisha Binti Mohd Jamil, Ms. Fatin Qurratul 'ain Binti Saberam, Ms. Intan Nazira Binti Abdul Sani, Ms. Norayuni Binti Ramlee, Mrs. Nur Hazwanie Binti Abd Halim, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurliyana Binti Abd Rahman, Ms. Nursyafiqa Madzlen, Ms. Nurul Atikah Abu Bakar, Mr. Simon Kuyun, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- Koay Zhong Ying, Long Roslee Ngah, Mohd Suhaimi Bin Mohd Yusof & uzair ar

Species Citation :- Cacomantis merulinus. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/20964. [Retrieved 07 December 2023].

Feedback :- If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback.

Back to top
Today, there are less than 200 Malayan tigers left in our country.
#SaveOurMalayanTiger. Visit www.harimau.my
Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS)   by   Malaysia Biodiversity Centre (MBC)


Copyright © 2023, Malaysia Biodiversity Centre (MBC), Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). All rights reserved. DISCLAIMER - The Malaysian Government, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC), Malaysia Biodiversity Centre (MBC) and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by the usage of any information obtained from this website. By entering this site, you acknowledge and agree that no portion of this site, including but not limited to names, logos, trademarks, patents, sound, graphics, charts, text, audio, video, information or images are either MyBIS property or the property permitted by third-party and shall not be used without prior written approval from the owner(s).
Best viewed using latest Mozila Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 10 with Resolution 1024 x 768px or above. Version 2.0 / 2016
Website Citation: MyBIS (2023). Malaysia Biodiversity Information System. Published on the Internet https://www.mybis.gov.my/, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia Biodiversity Centre & Forest Research Institute Malaysia. [Retrieved 07 December 2023].