Blue-faced Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
LCLeast Concern
- Family
- Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
- Order
- Cuculiformes
Overview
The blue-faced malkoha (Phaenicophaeus viridirostris) or small green-billed malkoha, is a non-parasitic cuckoo found in the scrub and deciduous forests of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. It has a waxy, dark, blue-grey plumage on its upperparts and has a long tail with graduated white-tipped feathers. The throat and chin are dark with spiny pale feathers that are branched. The lower belly is a dull creamy to rufous colour.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Southern peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Blue-faced malkoha
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.