Smithornis rufolateralis
The Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) is a captivating member of the Passeriformes order, known for its distinctive morphology and unique vocalizations. This small, stocky passerine measures approximately 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 inches) in length and weighs around 15-20 grams, characterized by its remarkably broad, flattened bill. Key identification marks include a striking black crown, bright white throat, and prominent rufous patches on its flanks (hence 'rufous-sided'), contrasti...
This broadbill primarily inhabits dense undergrowth and tangles within lowland tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, often near streams or forest edges, typically at elevations up to 1800 meters.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of insects, including flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, which it catches mid-air in short, agile sallies or gleans from leaves and branches.
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is a diurnal and generally solitary or paired species, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks, particularly in the mid-story and understory. Its foraging strategy involves short, agile 'sallies' from low perches, snatching insects from the air or gleaning them from...
The Rufous-sided Broadbill boasts a wide, though somewhat fragmented, distribution across West and Central Africa. Its range extends from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastward through Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Further south and east, it is found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (i...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-sided Broadbill is one of only three species in the genus Smithornis, all found in Africa. - Its most remarkable feature is its ability to produce a loud, mechanical 'whirring' or 'buzzing' sound with specialized wing feathers during an aerial display. - This mechanical sound is thou...