Red-faced Malkoha

This is a large species at 46 cm with a long graduated tail. 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 is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Red-faced Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. More

The Red-Faced Malkoha is regularly seen at Sinharaja and few other remaining rain forests, frequents associating with feeding waves. It is also found in scattered riverine habitats in the dry zone, such as Lahugala, Wasgamuwa, Manik Ganga and Kubukkan Oya. Length of body = 8.25 inches(20cm) Length of wing = 4.2 -4.4 inches Length of tail = 3.1-3.5 inches Length of beak= 1. More

The red-faced malkoha is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1). Description - This incontrovertibly distinctive bird belongs in the cuckoo family, sharing distinguishing features such as long tail feathers and zygodactyl feet: two toes pointing forwards, and two backwards. The breast and back are black, the underparts white, and the tail a mix of black and white. More

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 color. It nests in a tree, the typical clutch being 2-3 eggs. Description: This is a large species at 46 cm. More

The Red-faced Malkoha was described in 1769 by an illustration in Thomas Pennants Indian Zoology as Cuculus pyrrhocephalus. Joan Gideon Loten, who collected the first examples, commissioned Pieter Cornelis de Bevere to paint plates of his living or freshly dead specimens, as methods for the preservation of skins were then poorly developed. Loten loaned these outstanding plates to various zoologists at the time, who described many species from his work. More

The Red-faced Malkoha is described as a rather silent, shy, restless and sprightly dweller of tall forest canopy. Fleming (7) describes this bird as agile, active and conspicuous, although wary of observers and indicates that it is active mainly in the morning and afternoon. Henry (8) presents a vivid picture of its locomotion, 'It cleverly threads its way through tangled twigs, creepers and foliage. More

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. 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. More

Red-faced Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus) is a scarce and very elusive resident in south India (Kerala and Sri Lanka). Size: 46 cm Identification: The Red-faced Malkoha has a heavy apple-green bill and a red face patch. Black breast, white malar stripe and white underparts. The tail is long and graduated. Feet and legs are slaty-blue or bluish-green. Habitat: Humid and heavy forest with tall trees and dense, tangled undergrowth. Not found above 1500 m. More

The Red-Faced Malkoha is regularly seen at Sinharaja and few other remaining rain forests, frequents associating with feeding waves. It is also found in scattered riverine habitats in the dry zone, such as Lahugala, Wasgamuwa, Manik Ganga and Kubukkan Oya. More

know they get that big! We saw some Red-faced Malkoha's in a feeding flock high up in the canopy when we were there in July but were too far away to photograph :-( Thank you for sharing Amila! Please post it to Sri Lanka photographers. Posted 19 months ago. More

Red-faced Malkoha captured on film Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Executive Director of Jetwing Eco Holidays (jetwingeco@sri.lanka.net) has succeeded in taking on Fuji Provia what may well be the best sequence of photographs of one of Sri Lanka's rarest endemic birds. The Red-faced Malkoha is a bird of tall canopy forests, confined almost entirely to good quality rain forests in the wet zone. More