Blue-faced Malkoha

1. Bird Name
The English name of the bird is Blue-faced Malkoha and its scientific (Latin) name is Phaenicophaeus viridirostris.

2. Appearance
The Blue-faced Malkoha is a vibrant and striking species, characterized by its luxurious dark green feathers and eye-catching blue face. This bird has a long, curved beak, ideal for foraging, which is colored a light green along with its legs. Its eyes are bright red, standing out against its blue face. Notably, there are no significant physical differences between males and females; both sexes have the same coloration and size, making it difficult to differentiate between them.

3. Size
Adult Blue-faced Malkoha typically ranges in length from 38 cm to 41 cm (approximately 15 to 16 inches). The weight of the Blue-faced Malkoha is not often documented due to its elusive nature, but is speculated to be around 160-180 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Blue-faced Malkoha is commonly found in Southeast Asia, particularly in the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, and also across the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. This bird prefers dense, lowland tropical rainforests and secondary forests, where it is often found in lower to mid story vegetation cover.

5. Interesting Facts
The Blue-faced Malkoha is one of the few bird species that exhibits “duetting”, where both the male and female participate in sequential or overlapping song patterns. Additionally, it has a unique style of flying known as “bounding flight”, characterized by rapid flapping followed by gliding with folded wings. Cultural significance in Asian cultures is found due to its colorful appearance, and it’s often featured in myths and folklore.

6. Diet
The Blue-faced Malkoha is an omnivore, with a diet that primarily comprises insects (especially beetles and caterpillars), small reptiles, and berries.

7. Behavior & Sounds
The Blue-faced Malkoha’s call is characterized as a series of quick “kuk-kuk-kuk” sounds that increase in volume and then slowly fade away. It has a bounding flight character and is largely arboreal, spending most of its time in trees. It is generally seen alone or in pairs, and sometimes in small groups.

8. Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies the Blue-faced Malkoha as Least Concern, suggesting that it is not currently facing any major threats of extinction.

9. Lifespan
The lifespan of a Blue-faced Malkoha is not well-documented due to a relative lack of study. However, based on other species in the cuckoo family, it is estimated that they live for about 10-15 years in the wild.

10. Additional Notes
In some local cultures, the Blue-faced Malkoha is known as “Burung Punai Gading”, which translates to “Ivory Fruit Dove”. While they don’t interact much with humans due to their preference for dense forests, they play an important role in their ecosystems as insect and small reptile population regulators. They also assist in seed dispersal, thus helping in the growth of various plant species.