Fun Green-billed Malkoha Facts For Kids
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The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is a member of the cuckoo family, a species of migratory birds that are found in forests and other wooded areas around the world. They live in humid forests as well as mangrove swamps and plantations.
They also nest in tree cavities and make their nests out of mosses, twigs, leaves, grasses, and branches. The beautiful green-billed malkoha is very similar in appearance to the closely related common malkoha, which it replaces in much of its range.
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is the only member of the genus, and it is found in India, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia. Its bright colors make it easily identifiable, from its yellow bill to its emerald green throat and abdomen, to its blue wings and back.
In the wild, they can be found in forests and gardens foraging for insects, and they are also known as 'the woman's best friend' because they're kept as a pet in many parts of India.
In this article, you'll learn more about this unique species of bird and details about their breeding habits, and so much more.
Also, check out our other articles on the Guira cuckoo and the Jacobin cuckoo.
Green-Billed Malkoha Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a green-billed malkoha?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is a bird in the cuckoo family Cuculidae.
What class of animal does a green-billed malkoha belong to?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) belongs to the class of Aves.
How many green-billed malkohas are there in the world?
These birds are not yet endangered, as their population is not declining. However, their exact world population size has not been quantified.
Where does a green-billed malkoha live?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is predominantly found in the forests of Southeast Asia. Green-billed malkohas are found in Asia from India to Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Pacific Islands west to Samoa.
The green-billed malkoha, often called just malkoha or 'malkie', is widespread across Southeast Asia, from Myanmar to southern China, and throughout Indonesia as well as New Guinea, and Western Australia where it is very rare.
What is a green-billed malkoha's habitat?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) usually lives alone or in pairs and can be found in the lower level of the forest. They can often be seen hanging from branches with their long claws that act as hooks to keep them steady.
They are easy to find in the rainforest canopy because they make a loud 'kow-kow' call that can be heard through the trees. They are diurnal and live in a variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, cultivated areas, and plantations. These birds tend to nest in tree holes or bamboo stumps, but they also may use abandoned nests.
Who do green-billed malkohas live with?
The small green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is a shy and solitary bird species and is rarely seen in the wild as they tend to stay deep in the forest cover.
How long does a green-billed malkoha live?
There is not much data available about their lifespan. However, they are believed to live for four to five years in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
Green-billed malkohas are monogamous birds that mate for life. In addition to this, males and females share parental duties.
These birds lay two eggs at a time, which they incubate for 18 days before hatching. Once born, these chicks will leave their parents after eight weeks to find a new territory. They breed once a year with no defined breeding season.
What is their conservation status?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, these birds are classified under the category of Least Concern.
Green-Billed Malkoha Fun Facts
What do green-billed malkohas look like?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) is about 20 in (50.8 cm) long and has a bill that curves gently downwards. The bare skin around its eye is pinkish-red in color.
The feathers on the back of its head form a small crest that reaches its nape, and there are two distinct black bands at the end of each wing feather.
The bird has dark brown or black plumage with a green bill and legs. They also have a central tail feather which is longer than the other feathers. The males have ornamental patches on their heads that are brighter than the females.
How cute are they?
These little birds are very cute and are loved by many people. Their interesting sounds and habits make them even more adorable.
How do they communicate?
The green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) mainly uses tactile, visual, and acoustic modes of communication.
How big is a green-billed malkoha?
These green-billed malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis) are 19.6-23.6 in (50-60 cm) in size. They are two times smaller than a Lear's macaw.
How fast can a green-billed malkoha move?
Unfortunately, there's not much information available on their locomotion. However, they are often spotted at 6167 ft (1800 m) above sea level, which proves their agility.
How much does a green-billed malkoha weigh?
Green-billed malkohas are medium-sized birds belonging to the malkoha family. These birds weigh between 3.5-4.6 oz (100-130 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Like all other birds species, a female bird is called a hen, and a male bird is called a cock. Otherwise, there are no different names based on sex.
What would you call a baby green-billed malkoha?
A baby green-billed malkoha is called a chick, a fledgling, or a nestling.
What do they eat?
The green-billed malkoha feeds on fruit, insects, and nectar. They use their bill to dig up insects hiding under leaves on the rainforest floor or take nectar from flowers while they hang upside down on a branch.
Are they dangerous?
No, these bird species are absolutely harmless unless agitated.
Would they make a good pet?
Yes, they are loved as pets by many. However, they are habituated to live in the wild.
Did you know...
The name of these bird species comes from the fact that their beaks are bright green.
What is the green-billed malkoha's range?
The green-billed malkoha is predominantly found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Myanmar, and Thailand. It is mostly found in lowland tropical rainforests.
What is the green billed malkoha's call?
These bird species are loud, as they make a really loud 'kow-kow' call in order to communicate.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our Saint Lucia Amazon facts and Eleonora Cockatoo facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable exotic bird coloring pages.
Main image by Touhid biplob
Second image by Nrik kiran
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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