Green Broadbill
Calyptomena viridis
Luminous green bird with an oddly umbrella-like head shape, found in lowland forests. Male has black wingbars and a dark “comma” behind the eye. Female is paler green and plainer overall, with no dark markings. In Borneo, overlaps with Hose’s and Whitehead’s Broadbills, both of which tend to be found at higher elevations. In Green Broadbill, note the lack of black on females in any plumage, the clear bars on the wings instead of spots, and the overall larger size. Gives soft, bouncy hooting notes, often in series.
Identification
The bird is about 17 cm long, plumaged in brilliant green with a black ear patch, widely gaped bill, rounded head, short tail and three black bars on each wing. The beak itself is very weak and almost hidden by the crest above it. Both sexes are similar. The female is duller and has no black markings on its ear patch and wing coverts.
Taxonomy
There are three subspecies recognized:<p>Prior to revisions by the International Ornithological Congress in 2022, the mainland subspecies went by the name caudacuta, while viridis referred to the Greater Sundaic subspecies. Based on several previous studies finding problems with this nomenclature, the International Ornithological Congress replaced caudacuta with viridis, while gloriosa replaced the former viridis.
- Scientific name
- Calyptomena viridis
- Authority
- Raffles, 1822
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Calyptomenidae
- Genus
- Calyptomena
Range and habitat
The green broadbill is distributed in broadleaved evergreen forests of Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula where it frequents lowland and lower montane rainforest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It is often overlooked, as it sits motionless inside the canopy or just below, quickly flying to a new location if disturbed. Its foliage-green color provides excellent camouflage.<p>It feeds largely on soft figs. The broadbill's feeding habits helps to distribute the seeds of the fig around the forest floor. The female usually lays between two and three whitish eggs, and the young fledge after twenty-two to twenty-three days.
Conservation
Although this species remains common in many parts of its large range, it is considered Near Threatened as it is sensitive to habitat loss and degradation, which are likely to be causing population declines throughout its range.Due to continuing habitat loss, the green broadbill is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Falco novaeseelandiae
A compact raptor endemic to New Zealand, with streaky cream-and-brown breast and reddish-brown undertail. In flight, note rapid beating of long pointed wings, and long rounded tail shape while gliding. Females are much larger than males. Widely distributed throughout New Zealand in native and exotic forest, as well as in tussock grassland and farmland. Will aggressively dive-bomb intruders close to nesting sites. Distinctive “kek-kek-kek” call given during attacks. Similar to Swamp Harrier but smaller; rarely feeds on road kill, actively chases prey, and glides with wings set flat rather than a shallow “V” shape like the Swamp Harrier.
Olive-backed Quail-Dove
Leptotrygon veraguensis
Plump ground-dwelling dove, small for a quail-dove and much darker overall compared with the others. Overall dark grayish with contrasting white face and cheek. Lower belly is whitish, fading to a buffy vent. Pinkish-red legs. Sexes alike. Prefers forests, usually on the ground unless flushed up into the lower levels of a tree. Like most quail-doves, often best seen by quietly walking along trails at dawn and dusk.
Planalto Slaty-Antshrike
Thamnophilus pelzelni
Small antshrike found in the lower and middle levels of dry forests and at the edge of humid forests. Males are gray overall with a black crown, and white-spotted black wings and tail. Females have a rusty crown, back, and tail, are buff below with white spots on the wings. The song is a loud and long series of around 20 descending notes that accelerate in pace. Doesn’t overlap in range with similar Sooretama Slaty-Antshrike and is told from Variable Antshrike by paler gray plumage in males and richer rufous color in females.
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