AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
BLACK-AND-RED BROADBILL (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Broadbills are found in sub-Saharan Africa, Himalayan portions of India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, far southern China (also Hainan Island), Borneo, Sumatra, Java, peninsular Malaysia, and the Philippines.
HABITAT
Broadbills inhabit mostly humid tropical and subtropical lowlands (including evergreen or mostly evergreen broad-leaved lowland forests), while a few species are located in montane (mountain) forests and one species is found in dry climates. They move with the change of seasons to mountain areas when food becomes scarce.
DIET
Most broadbills eat insects, but some of the larger species also eat small vertebrates (animals with a backbone) such as lizards, frogs, small crabs, and small fish, and fruits such as figs. Foods are foraged from leaves or branches, caught while in flight, or captured on the ground.
BROADBILLS AND PEOPLE
People hunt broadbills for their colorful plumage in order to sell them within the pet industry.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Three broadbill species are listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction, due to deforestation, mining, and human warfare in their very small ranges. Three other species are listed as Near Threatened, in danger of becoming threatened with extinction.
User Comments Add a comment…