Red-faced Malkoha

Red-faced Malkoha
: Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Cuculiformes : Cuculidae : Phaenicophaeus : pyrrhocephalus
Binomial name
Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus (Pennant, 1769)

The Red-faced Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin.

It is endemic to Sri Lanka. Red-faced Malkoha is a bird of dense forests, where it can be difficult to see despite its size and colour. It nests in a tree, the typical clutch being 2-3 eggs.

This is a large species at 46 cm. Its back is dark green, and the uppertail is green edged with white. The belly and undertail are white, the latter being barred black. The crown and throat are black, and the lower face white. There is a large red patch around the eye and the bill is green. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are much duller.

Red-faced Malkoha takes a variety of insects, caterpillars and small vertebrates. It occasionally eats berries.

Unlike most cuckoos, this is a quiet species, making only the odd soft grunt.

Distribution map for Red-faced Malkoha

Reference

• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6