Serilophus lunatus
The Silver-breasted Broadbill (Serilophus lunatus) is a striking passerine bird, renowned for its vibrant plumage and distinctive morphology. Measuring approximately 17-20 cm (6.7-7.9 inches) in length and weighing around 30-40 grams, its most prominent feature is the broad, flattened greenish-yellow bill that gives the family its name. Key field marks include a pearly white or silvery breast, a bold black facial mask extending into a nuchal collar, a contrasting rufous-brown nape, and a bril...
This species primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane broadleaf forests, secondary growth, and forest edges, often favoring areas near streams or ravines. It is typically found at elevations ranging from the lowlands up to 1,800-2,000 meters.
Its diet consists predominantly of large insects, such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars, supplemented by spiders and small snails. Occasionally, it may also consume small fruits.
The Silver-breasted Broadbill is a diurnal species, often observed singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. It exhibits a characteristic foraging style, gleaning insects from foliage and branches with its broad bill, and occasionally making aerial...
The Silver-breasted Broadbill is a resident species found across a wide expanse of Southeast Asia and parts of the Indian subcontinent. Its distribution spans from the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India, eastward through Myanmar, Bangladesh (where it i...
Least Concern
- The 'broadbill' in its name refers to its uniquely wide, flattened bill, perfectly adapted for snatching insects in flight or from foliage. - Its elaborate, hanging, pear-shaped nest is a true feat of avian architecture, often suspended precariously over water or deep ravines. - The species nam...