The Blue-faced Malkohas, Phaenicophaeus viridirostris , is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin. For more information, see our guide on backyard birds.
Range
It is restricted to Sri Lanka and southern India. The Blue-faced Malkoha is a bird of open forests and scrub jungle.
Description
This is a largish species at 39 cm. Its back and head are dark green, and the uppertail is green edged with white. The throat and belly are lighter green. There is a large blue patch around the eye and the bill is green. Males and females look alike, but juveniles are duller and barred above.
References
It nests in a thorn bush, the typical clutch being two, sometimes three, eggs. According to BirdLife International, this species is well documented.
Diet / Feeding
The Blue-faced Malkohas takes a variety of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. It occasionally eats berries. According to RSPB, this species is well documented.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Phaenicophaeus viridirostris. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concernBirds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6
Malkohas Information and Listing of Species … Malkohas Photo Gallery
