Cuculiformes / Cuculidae / Phaenicophaeus
Green-billed Malkoha
Phaenicophaeus tristis · 绿嘴地鹃
Introduction
A non-parasitic cuckoo species found throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It inhabits dry scrub and thin forests, characterized by a long graduated tail with white tips and a prominent curved bill.
Description
Body length is 50–60 cm and weight is 100–128 g. Plumage is waxy bluish black with dark grey upperparts showing a green gloss and oily green wings. The face and neck are salty grey, featuring a red face patch often bordered by clear white. The tail is long and graduated with white tips to the feathers. The bill is prominent and curved.
Distribution & Habitat
Range extends from Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka east through Southeast Asia. Breeding habitats include primary forest, second growth, dense thickets, scrub, cultivated areas, and rubber plantations.
Behavior & Ecology
Diet consists mainly of insects, but also includes small lizards and small mammals. It occasionally catches insects in flight.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Cuculiformes
- Family
- Cuculidae
- Genus
- Phaenicophaeus
Taxonomy Changes
Rhopodytes tristis → Phaenicophaeus tristis
Genus transfer — GBIF Backbone Taxonomy uses the former name; AviList 2025 uses the current name.
Subspecies (2)
-
Phaenicophaeus tristis kangeangensis
Kangean Islands (Java Sea)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
