Pale-billed Sicklebill Bird of Paradise....

Male Pale-billed Sicklebill

Drepanornis Bruijnii:

The Pale-billed Sicklebill is a medium sized bird of paradise. Its scientific name is Drepanornis bruijnii, Drepanomis is a Greek word which means sickle bird, Bruijnii named after Dutch Plume Trade dealer (Antonie Augustus Bruijn). As its common name describes pale bill which makes it prominent from other species of sicklebill. The adult male is approximately 35 cm in length, while adult female is about 34 cm long. Male Pale billed sicklebill is olive brown bird of paradise. Male has black head with naked blue face patch and purple iridescent feathers below eye, brown arc, pale sicklebill, pectoral feathers tipped with iridescent green, longer pectoral plumes tipped purple, smaller ones bronze and remaining underparts lavender grey and tail russet. The adult female 

is unadorned and has same upperparts as male but little paler and more buffy and less iridescence, from downside it is buffy and pale cinnamon with dark brown stripes. Both have long and pale curved beaks.

Pale-billed Sicklebill Eating Berries

Behaviour:

The Pale-billed Sicklebill is polygynous. This species is sexually dimorphic. Their display recorded in August. Solitary male shows from tradional sites and visits its territory on daily basis for counter display to its competitors. They are less known for their courtship display other than male adopts static posture, fans pectoral, flank feathers and tail with mouth agape. Pale-billed sicklebill feeds mostly on fruits and arthropods.

Pale-billed Sicklebill on Tree Branch

Range & Threats:

The Pale-billed Sicklebill is spread out to lowland rainforests of northwestern New Guinea (0-180m), Eastern Geelvink Bay east through Meervlakte probably Idenburg Basin and north coastal lowlands to Vanimo area and north western reaches of Sepik River drainage. Due to deforestation and habitat lost on this limited range species, the Pale-billed Sicklebill is estimated as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation Nature Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.