Alternative names: Greater Sicklebill; Black Sickle-billed Bird-of-paradise
- Epimachus fastosus
Identification
Male 63cm (24 in); 110cm (43¼ in) including tail, female 55cm (21¾ in).
A large Bird-of-paradise with a long, sickle-shaped bill and greatly elongated central tail feathers.
Male
- Black plumage shows iridescent green, blue and purple scaley feathers
- Red iris
- Bright yellow mouth
- Long curved black bill
- Large sabre-shaped tail
- Large erectile fan-like plumes on sides of breast
Female
- Reddish brown plumage
- Red-brown iris
- Buff underparts with dark brown barring
Juveniles and immatures are similar to females.
Distribution
Endemic to the mountains of New Guinea.
Uncommon or rare in most of its range. The population is declining due to habitat loss.
Taxonomy
The scientific name is also spelled fastuosus.
Hybrids with Long-tailed Paradigalla, Arfak Astrapia and Lophorinas recorded.
Subspecies
There are 3 subspecies:[1],[2]
- E. f. fastosus:
- Northwest New Guinea (Tamrau and Arfak mountains)
- E. f. atratus:
- Eastern New Guinea (Mountains of Wandammen Peninsula to Kratka Range)
- E. f. ultimus:
- Coastal northern Papua New Guinea (Mount Menawa and Mount Somoro)
The proposed subspecies stresemanni is usually synonymized with atratus.
Habitat
Mid mountain forests, mostly in primary forest. Occurs at 1280 - 2550m, mainly at 1800 - 2150m. Usually at lower elevation than Brown Sicklebill.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on fruits and animals (insects and small vertebrates).
Breeding
Breeding at least from November to February. A polygynous species. The male advertises from a traditional high perch (usually a broken-off vertical tree trunk) and performs its display. The female builds and attends the nest alone.
One described nest was made of orchid stems with vines and moss on base. No other information.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Black Sicklebill. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Sicklebill
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
