MALKOHA 6/6 - Black bellied Malkoha

Black-bellied Malkoha

Amar Singh commented:-

The Black-bellied Malkoha is said to be seen and photographed less often as it is more ”shy’ than the commonly seen Green-billed Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus tristis longicaudatus). The birds can, at a quick look, be mistaken for each other and their habitat overlap.

The key differentiating features are:

1.    Tail length: The Black-bellied has a tail length about equal to the body while the Green-billed has a longer 1:1.5 times body-tail length. The Handbook of the Birds of the World & Cuckoos of the World (2012) now call it the Long-tailed Malkoha. (see composite in Post 2 Black-bellied on the right)

2.    Face patch: The Green-billed often has a clear white boarder to the red face patch, while the Black-bellied does not. (see Post 1)

3.    Head: The Black-bellied had a darker grey in the head and neck while the Green-billed has slaty grey on the face and neck.

4.    Iris colour: Pale blue to dark brown in the Black-bellied and brown to red-brown in the Green-billed.