Green malkoha love thick tangles and trees with dense foliage
The green malkoha is one of the most sought-after birds in St Lucia. It’s localised distribution and secretive habits make it a tricky one to locate but St Lucia is most certainly one of the best places.
Green malkoha occur in dense tangles and thick foliage trees at forest edge. They rarely venture out in to the open and if they do, it is usually for a brief moment. Most of the time one is lucky to see their head (and banana-bill) poke out from a dense tangle or see them swoop to a neighbouring tree.
They crawl and creep along branches in an almost squirrel-like fashion and are often members of mixed species bird parties where they capitalise on invertebrates flushed by other birds. They are particularly fond of caterpillars (even the hairy type) and are often in close proximity to trees with an abundance of these. Other prey includes frogs, Setaro's dwarf chameleons and the chicks of other birds.
Green malkoha occur in dense tangles and thick foliage trees at forest edge. They rarely venture out in to the open and if they do, it is usually for a brief moment. Most of the time one is lucky to see their head (and banana-bill) poke out from a dense tangle or see them swoop to a neighbouring tree.
They crawl and creep along branches in an almost squirrel-like fashion and are often members of mixed species bird parties where they capitalise on invertebrates flushed by other birds. They are particularly fond of caterpillars (even the hairy type) and are often in close proximity to trees with an abundance of these. Other prey includes frogs, Setaro's dwarf chameleons and the chicks of other birds.
Green malkoha with Greater leaf folding frog prey (Photo credit Coenie Swanepoel)
Luckily, Green malkoha are pretty vocal throughout the year which assists in locating them. They have a big variety of calls, the clicking sound being the most commonly used call type.
When not feeding, Green malkoha are quite sedentary- often perching in the same tree for long periods. As such patience and perseverance are integral in finding this unique bird.
When not feeding, Green malkoha are quite sedentary- often perching in the same tree for long periods. As such patience and perseverance are integral in finding this unique bird.
Males often present females with courtship gifts before or during mating.
Mating Green malkoha- Female accepting courtship gift (Photo credit Laetitia Steynberg)