Black Sicklebills
Birds of Paradise ... Bird of Paradise Photo Gallery
The Black Sicklebill, Epimachus fastuosus, is a large bird of paradise of midmountain forests of New Guinea.
Description:
With up to 110 cm in length, the male Black Sicklebill is the longest member of Paradisaeidae, though the Curl-crested Manucode has a larger body.
The male has black plumage with an iridescent green, blue and purple scale-like feathers, red iris, bright yellow mouth, long curved black bill, huge sabre-shaped tail and large erectile fan-like plumes on sides of breast.
The female is smaller than the male. It has a reddish brown plumage with brown iris and buff below.
Diet / Feeding
The diet consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.
Breeding / Nesting
The male is polygamous and performs a horizontal courtship display with the pectoral plumes raised around its head.
In the wild, the bird has hybridised with the Arfak Astrapia creating offspring that were once considered a distinct species, the Elliot's Sicklebill, Epimachus ellioti. While some believe this was a valid species that is possibly critically endangered or extinct, it is generally viewed by most mainstream ornithologists as a hybrid.
Status
Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and hunted in some areas for food and its tail feathers, the Black Sicklebill is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
