Edolisoma rostratum
The Rossel Cicadabird, *Edolisoma rostratum*, is a captivating passerine endemic to the remote Rossel Island in Papua New Guinea's Louisiade Archipelago. Measuring 19-21 cm in length, males are striking in their glossy dark grey to black plumage, contrasting with the paler grey-brown upperparts and lighter underparts of the females, showcasing prominent sexual dimorphism. Its relatively robust, slightly hooked bill is a key field mark, giving the species its "rostratum" (beaked) epithet. Taxo...
This species inhabits primary lowland rainforests, mature secondary growth, and forest edges on its single endemic island, typically found below 200-300 meters elevation.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on cicadas, caterpillars, beetles, and orthopterans, supplemented by some fruit. It forages by gleaning from foliage and branches, and occasionally by sallying for flying insects.
This diurnal cicadabird primarily forages in the mid-to-upper canopy of the lowland rainforests, often appearing solitary or in inconspicuous pairs. Its foraging strategy involves meticulous gleaning of insects from foliage and branches, occasionally punctuated by short, agile sallies to snatch f...
The Rossel Cicadabird (*Edolisoma rostratum*) is an exceedingly localized species, strictly endemic to Rossel Island, also known as Yela Island, situated within the Louisiade Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Its entire global distribution is confined to the primary and mature secondary lowland ra...
Near Threatened
- The Rossel Cicadabird is one of the most geographically restricted bird species, found exclusively on a single island globally. - Its scientific name, *rostratum*, is Latin for 'beaked', referring to its relatively strong and slightly hooked bill. - Despite its common name, its diet includes a ...