- Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
Identification
40–47 cm (14¾-18½ in); A large Malkoha with a long graduated tail:
- Dark green back
- Green edged with white uppertail
- White belly and undertail, undertail barred black
- Black throat and crown, white lower face
- Large red patch around eye
- Green bill
- Dark iris
Sexes similar; the female has a white iris, juveniles duller
Similar Species
Blue-faced Malkoha: which doesn't have any red on the face.
Distribution
Endemic to Sri Lanka.
Regularly seen at Sinharaja and other remaining rain forests.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Found in tall rain forest. Also in scattered riverine habitats in the dry zone.
Behaviour
A shy inhabitant of the tree canopy.
Diet
Feeds on insects (caterpillars, giant stick insects, mantises) and small vertebrates (eg lizards). May occasionally take berries.
Usually seen solitary, in pairs or small flocks. Joins bird waves.
Breeding
Breeds in the first half of the year (and probably also August to September). The nest is a shallow saucer made of grass, twigs and roots. It's placed in a high bush in a forest area with thick undergrowth. Lays 2 to 3 eggs.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved January 2019)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Red-faced Malkoha. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Red-faced_Malkoha
External Links
http://charlirox-slbirds.blogspot.com/2011/09/watha-rathu-malkoha-red-faced-malkoha.html
