Red-faced Malkoha

Taxobox
name = Red-faced Malkoha
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down

---

regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Cuculiformes
familia = Cuculidae
genus = "Phaenicophaeus"
species = "P. pyrrhocephalus"
binomial = "Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus"
binomial_authority = (Pennant, 1769)
range_
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. The 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.

The Red-faced Malkoha takes a variety of insects including caterpillars, giant stick instecs, mantises and small vertebrates such as lizard. It occasionally eats berries.

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

References

* Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used
* "Birds of India" by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1256&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
* [http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=460&PHPSESSID=3743b619be9cc458c329077f4c138b0d Photographes in the Database of the Oriental Bird Club]
* [http://www.birdwingnature.com/pdf/Red-faced%20Malkoha%20Article.pdf Some observations on the diet of Red-faced Malkoha "Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus" in Sri Lanka – Amila Salgado] The Article of the above external link was originally published in Forktail 22 (August 2006) Journal of Asian Ornithology of [http://www.orientalbirdclub.org Oriental Bird Club]