The Black-billed Sicklebill (Epimachus albertisi) is also known as Buff-tailed Sicklebill (leading to easy confusion with the hermit hummingbird Eutoxeres condamini).
Distribution / Range
The Black-billed Sicklebill is found in the mountain forests of New Guinea.
Description
This medium-sized bird of paradise measures up to 35cm in length. Its plumage is mostly brown.
The male has a bare maroon grey skin around its eye, buff colored tail, dark brown iris, yellow mouth and black sickle-like bill. It is adorned with dark horn-like forecrown feathers, an erectile fan-like bronze neck plumes and elongated purple-tipped flank plumes.
Birds of Paradise … Bird of Paradise Photo Gallery
The female lacks the forecrown feathers of the male, neck and flank plumes. She is smaller, dark barred below, and her bill is longer than male.
Breeding / Nesting
The female lays one to two pale cream eggs with brown and grey spots.
Diet / Feeding
Its diet consists mainly of fruit and arthropods.
