Silver-breasted Broadbill is everywhere

wengchun · #1 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 03:29 PM

Walking along the road in Berjaya Hill, Pahang, Malaysia will certainly let you get close to broadbill. I was there a few days ago to look for trogon but was unlucky to see it - just the calls are heard. However, I get to see my lifer, the silver-breasted broadbill.

Read more about this trip at nature2pixel.com | Birding Exploration to Kuala Selangor and Berjaya Hill

paul m · #2 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 06:50 PM

Is that really its bill - or is it holding a leaf?
Excuse my ignorance ....

Guy F · #3 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 09:14 PM

Wow, that's a great bird, I'd love to see this sort of thing, not that there's anything wrong with House Sparrows

I think that's a leaf in it's beak, but I could be wrong.
Guy

paul m · #4 (**permalink**) 31-03-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy F

Wow, that's a great bird, I'd love to see this sort of thing, not that there's anything wrong with House Sparrows

I think that's a leaf in it's beak, but I could be wrong.
Guy

Yes, I thought that

but that raises the next question - what is it doing with the leaf? Nest-building?
... and how broad does a bill have to be to make a broadbill? Is this a family of (Asian?) birds? You'll have to excuse me - I'm not a great ornithologist. Love seeing the pictures though

wengchun · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2007, 02:49 PM

Paul,The typical Asian broadbills, Eurylaiminae, consist of 8 species. Most species have an exceptionally wide bill and gape.

Guy, you are correct! that's a leaf in the bill. it is returning to the nest, but didn't notice what it did to the leaf once it reaches the nest though. I was observing other broadbills around.