Alternative names: Collared Broadbill; Gould's Broadbill; Hodgson's Broadbill; Red-backed Broadbill
- Serilophus lunatus
Identification
Broad black supercillium, greyish white crown, light blue bill and narrow lemon yellow orbital skin diagnostic. Upper parts greyish brown with chestnut rump; underparts greyish white, wings black with blue patch, tail black with white outer tail feathers. Female (in picture) has a narrow silvery white breast band. Note: claws appear silvery-white too. (check other pictures in Gallery.)
The different subspecies differ in head coloration (eg rufous in lunatus), wing pattern and tone of upper- and underparts.
Distribution
The eastern Himalayas, southern China and Myanmar through Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra.
Formerly very common in its range, no only common where suitable habitat remains.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Ten subspecies are recognized:[1]
- S. l. rubropygius - Northeast India, Bhutan and eastern Bangladesh to northeast Myanmar - formerly considered a full species, Nepal Collared Broadbill
- S. l. atrestus - Central Myanmar to south China, northeast Thailand, Laos and northwest Vietnam
- S. l. elisabethae - Southeast China (southeast Yunnan and southwest Guangxi) and east Tonkin
- S. l. polionotus - Mountains of Hainan Islan.
- S. l. lunatus - South-central and southern Myanmar and adjacent northwest Thailand
- S. l. stolidus - South Myanmar and peninsular Thailand (except extreme south)
- S. l. aphobus - Southeast Thailand and Cambodia
- S. l. impavidus - South Laos (Bolaven Plateau)
- S. l. rothschildi - Malay Peninsula and extreme south peninsular Thailand
- S. l. intensus - Sumatra
The status of some isolated populations is unclear and further taxonomic studies are needed.
Habitat
Forest and forest edges.
Occurs usually at 300 - 900m, locally lower or higher.
Behaviour
Generally unobtrusive, sitting quietly on a high perch. Shy bird.
Diet
Feeds primarily on insects.
Frequents the canopy and middle story. Usually solitary or in pairs but may sometimes gather in small parties.
Breeding
Breeding season differs through range. The nest is a pendant ball with a long tail made of coarse grass, weeds, thin twigs, fine roots and other vegetable matter. A pair has sometimes helpers. Usually lays 4 - 5 eggs.
Movements
A resident species. Some altitudinal migration recorded in the Himalayas.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2003. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 8: Broadbills to Tapaculos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334504
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Silver-breasted Broadbill. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Silver-breasted_Broadbill
