Information About

Blue-faced Malkoha




  Name Blue-faced Malkoha
  Regnum Animal ia
  Phylum Chordata
  Classis Aves
  Ordo Cuculiformes
  Familia Cuculidae
  Genus '' Phaenicophaeus ''
  Species '''''P viridirostris'''''
  Binomial ''Phaenicophaeus viridirostris''
  Binomial Authority ( Jerdon , 1840)


The Blue-faced Malkoha , ''Phaenicophaeus viridirostris '', is a member of the Cuckoo order of Bird s, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the Roadrunner s, the Anis , and the Hoatzin .

It is restricted to Sri Lanka and southern India . The Blue-faced Malkoha is a bird of open forests and scrub jungle. It nests in a thorn bush, the typical clutch being two, sometimes three, Egg s.

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. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller and barred above.

The Blue-faced Malkoha takes a variety of Insect s, Caterpillar s and small Vertebrate s. It occasionally eats Berries .


REFERENCE

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