Ah Sinharaja, what a magnificent forest!
Malcolm, a Red-faced Malkoha reflects on life
Malcolm: Sometimes I wonder if there is a higher power. I mean, look at me and my kind. Glossy black feathers with metallic green and blue on my back, pure white feathers on the bottom, pure black throat, a ring of white around my neck and brilliant red on my head. This can’t be by chance, could it? What other bird looks as good as me? I wish I could ask someone, but I value my privacy, hence the secretiveness of my life. I wish I could find someone to relate to. I only encounter other cuckoos who don’t think about this stuff; and the others I meet - caterpillars, giant stick insects, mantises and small vertebrates - for instance, end up in my belly.
Fun Facts
Malcolm: I love Sinharaja forest. Such a lot of trees with dense growth. I can just hop from branch to branch, or just waddle from one tree to another, completely undercover. I don’t like flying long distances too much, although I can if the need arises.
Lenny: Umm, Mr. Cuckoo sir. If you plan to eat me, could you get on with it? You’re holding me by the neck and it’s a tad bit uncomfortable. I’d prefer a quick end, if you don’t mind.
Malcolm: Oh, so sorry! Gulp. Oh well, now I have to find someone new to talk to.
Story of the Photo
Visitors to Explorer by Eco Team in the Sinharaja Rain Forest are always stunned at the immense amount of birdlife found there. The Red-faced Malkoha is usually an elusive resident of the forest, but Dilum managed to get this amazing shot during a walking tour this July.
