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Difference between revisions of "Black Sicklebill" - BirdForum Opus

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(Imp sizes. Picture added. GSearch amended to allow for both spellings. References updated)
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'''Alternative names: Greater Sicklebill; Black Sickle-billed Bird-of-paradise'''
 
'''Alternative names: Greater Sicklebill; Black Sickle-billed Bird-of-paradise'''
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[[Image:Black Sicklebill 1.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|mehdhalaouate|mehdhalaouate}}<br />Arfak Mountains, Vogelkop, [[Papua]], August 2015]]
 
;[[:Category:Epimachus|Epimachus]] fastosus
 
;[[:Category:Epimachus|Epimachus]] fastosus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
Male 63cm (110cm including tail), female 55cm. A large Bird-of-paradise with a long, sickle-shaped bill and greatly elongated central tail feathers.
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Male 63cm (24 in); 110cm (43¼ in) including tail, female 55cm (21¾ in).<br />
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A large Bird-of-paradise with a long, sickle-shaped bill and greatly elongated central tail feathers.
 
====Male====
 
====Male====
 
* Black plumage shows iridescent green, blue and purple scaley feathers
 
* Black plumage shows iridescent green, blue and purple scaley feathers
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Uncommon or rare in most of its range. The population is declining due to habitat loss.
 
Uncommon or rare in most of its range. The population is declining due to habitat loss.
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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The scientific name is also spelled ''fastuosus''.
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Hybrids with [[Long-tailed Paradigalla]], [[Arfak Astrapia]] and [[Superb Bird-of-paradise]] recorded.
 
====Subspecies====
 
====Subspecies====
 
There are 3 subspecies:<sup>[[#References|[1],[2]]]</sup>
 
There are 3 subspecies:<sup>[[#References|[1],[2]]]</sup>
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*''E. f. ultimus'':
 
*''E. f. ultimus'':
 
:*Coastal northern [[Papua New Guinea]] (Mount Menawa and Mount Somoro)
 
:*Coastal northern [[Papua New Guinea]] (Mount Menawa and Mount Somoro)
The proposed subspecies ''stresemanni'' is usually synonymized with atratus. The scientific name is also spelled ''fastuosus''.<br />
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Hybrids with [[Long-tailed Paradigalla]], [[Arfak Astrapia]] and [[Superb Bird-of-paradise]] recorded.
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The proposed subspecies ''stresemanni'' is usually synonymized with atratus.  
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Mid mountain forests, mostly in primary forest. Occurs at 1280 - 2550m, mainly at 1800 - 2150m. Usually at lower elevation than [[Brown Sicklebill]].
 
Mid mountain forests, mostly in primary forest. Occurs at 1280 - 2550m, mainly at 1800 - 2150m. Usually at lower elevation than [[Brown Sicklebill]].
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==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug15}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Epimachus+fastosus}}  
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{{GSearch|Epimachus+fast}} <!--Amended search parameters, think it should work-->
 
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=69&bid=1180 View more images of this species on the ABID]
 
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=69&bid=1180 View more images of this species on the ABID]
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Epimachus]] [[Category:Missing Images]]
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[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Epimachus]]

Revision as of 22:37, 30 November 2015

Alternative names: Greater Sicklebill; Black Sickle-billed Bird-of-paradise

Photo by mehdhalaouate
Arfak Mountains, Vogelkop, Papua, August 2015
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 Superb Bird-of-paradise recorded.

Subspecies

There are 3 subspecies:[1],[2]

  • E. f. fastosus:
  • E. f. atratus:
  • Eastern New Guinea (Mountains of Wandammen Peninsula to Kratka Range)
  • E. f. ultimus:

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

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. 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

External Links

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