Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus Scientific name definitions

40–47 cm (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). The only other malkoha in Sri Lanka is Rhopodytes viridirostris, which is marginally smaller, lacks red on face, has greenish-grey upperparts, grey belly and white-tipped graduated tail (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Adult black above, glossed green and blue, crown and neck finely streaked white, tail black with broad white tips; chin and lower face whitish, throat and breast black, belly white; very prominent bare rufous-red skin on face, iris brown in male, white in female ; bill stout, curved, light yellowish green; feet slaty grey. Male perhaps larger and longer-billed, but shorter-tailed than females, though sample sizes small (2 Fuller, R.A. and Erritzøe, J. (1997). Little-known Oriental bird: Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus. Bull. Oriental Bird Club. 26: 35-39. Close ). Juvenile shorter-tailed and overall duller (less glossy above) with browner remiges (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), smaller red face patch restricted to around eyes (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), breast with white streaks.

Sri Lanka.

Dense forest in wet zone, also riverine forest in dry zone of N & E Sri Lanka, disappearing in cultivated areas. Lowlands to 1700 m, but most records from above 920 m are old, and it has been suggested that the species has become more of an inhabitant of lower elevations in more recent decades, with forest fragmentation now denying it access to the highlands (2 Fuller, R.A. and Erritzøe, J. (1997). Little-known Oriental bird: Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus. Bull. Oriental Bird Club. 26: 35-39. Close ).

Resident, although seasonal altitudinal migrations have sometimes been speculated to occur (if only perhaps formerly) (2 Fuller, R.A. and Erritzøe, J. (1997). Little-known Oriental bird: Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus. Bull. Oriental Bird Club. 26: 35-39. Close ).

Previously considered to be primarily dependent on the fruits and berries of forest trees (3 Salgado, A. (2006). Some observations on the diet of Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus in Sri Lanka. Forktail. 22: 122-123. Close ), but caterpillars and other insects (mantids, grasshoppers, moths and cicadas) are also constituents of diet, and the species has been observed decapitating and consuming 25 cm-long giant stick insect (Palophus sp.) (3 Salgado, A. (2006). Some observations on the diet of Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus in Sri Lanka. Forktail. 22: 122-123. Close ). A lizard has also been recorded, probably a hump-nosed lizard (Lyriocephalus scutatus) (3 Salgado, A. (2006). Some observations on the diet of Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus in Sri Lanka. Forktail. 22: 122-123. Close ). When in mixed-species flocks, the species has been observed only feeding on insects (4 Kotagama, S. W., and E. Goodale (2004). The composition and spatial organisation of mixed-species flocks in a Sri Lankan rainforest. Forktail 2138:63–7138. Close ) and it seems this malkoha is primarily insectivorous (3 Salgado, A. (2006). Some observations on the diet of Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus in Sri Lanka. Forktail. 22: 122-123. Close ). Hops from branch to branch, flutters and sails from tree to tree; gleans food from leaves (4 Kotagama, S. W., and E. Goodale (2004). The composition and spatial organisation of mixed-species flocks in a Sri Lankan rainforest. Forktail 2138:63–7138. Close ) and forages either in canopy or near ground in dense understorey (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Usually forages in mixed-species feeding flocks, perhaps most especially in wet season (4 Kotagama, S. W., and E. Goodale (2004). The composition and spatial organisation of mixed-species flocks in a Sri Lankan rainforest. Forktail 2138:63–7138. Close ), characteristically led by Orange-billed Babblers (Turdoides rufescens) and containing mostly medium-sized birds; normally 2–4 malkohas in a flock (mean 2·2 in most detailed study) (4 Kotagama, S. W., and E. Goodale (2004). The composition and spatial organisation of mixed-species flocks in a Sri Lankan rainforest. Forktail 2138:63–7138. Close ), although up to six have been recorded.

Mostly silent, even within mixed-species flocks (5 Goodale, E. and Kotagama, S.W. (2005). Alarm calling in Sri Lanka mixed-species bird flocks. Auk 122(1): 108–120. Close ); main call is “grrr-GRRRRR-GRRRRR-(gt't't')” (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); sometimes short single yelping whistles, also a “kok” or “kaa” in flight (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), and a low whining “kra” on landing (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Breeds Jan–May; also gonads enlarged Aug–Sept. Nest a deep cup of twigs lined with fresh leaves, grass and roots (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), often near ground, in dense undergrowth, but once c. 10 m above ground in kunumella tree (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ); constructed by both adults (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Eggs 2–3, chalky white; 34–39·4 mm × 25·1–39·3 mm (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), but no information on incubation; both adults provision young (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). No further data (1 Erritzøe, J., C. F. Mann, F. P. Brammer, and R. A. Fuller (2012). Cuckoos of the World. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

VULNERABLE. Population currently estimated at 2500–9999 mature individuals within overall range of 36,600 km², and is considered to be declining. However, other authorities have suggested that numbers may now be as low as just a few hundred individuals. Although not uncommon locally, this species is generally scarce and is mostly restricted to fragmented small local populations in wet zone of SW Sri Lanka, with most records from Wasgomua, Yala, Udawalawa, Galoya and Lahugala forests. Its numbers have declined through shooting (although this is perhaps no longer a serious problem) and through loss of habitat to cultivation, logging, fuelwood collection, conversion to tree plantations, gem mining, settlement and fire. Being a primarily canopy-dwelling species, the species has been particularly badly affected by selective logging. P. pyrrhocephalus occurs in several national parks and forest reserves, including Sinharaja National Heritage Wilderness Area (11,187 ha), Gal-Oya National Park, Senanayake Samudra Sanctuary, Uda Walawe National Park and Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, although some of these areas lack effective protection and continue to be degraded and undergo further fragmentation. All specimen records are from Sri Lanka; several mainly old, unconfirmed sight records have come from S India, in Karnataka (2 Fuller, R.A. and Erritzøe, J. (1997). Little-known Oriental bird: Red-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus. Bull. Oriental Bird Club. 26: 35-39. Close ), S Kerala and W Tamil Nadu, but these are now considered more likely to be misidentifications.