Sarcophanops steerii
The Wattled Broadbill (Sarcophanops steerii) is a striking and enigmatic suboscine passerine bird endemic to the Philippines, known for its remarkably vibrant facial wattles. Measuring approximately 17-18 cm (7 inches) in length and weighing around 60-70 grams, the adult male is predominantly velvety black with a prominent iridescent blue patch on its wings. Its most distinctive features are the large, fleshy, bright blue wattles covering the lores and a contrasting yellow wattle extending fr...
This species exclusively inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland dipterocarp forests, favoring areas near rivers or streams. It is typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to approximately 1000-1200 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, the Wattled Broadbill feeds on a variety of arthropods, including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. It forages by gleaning from vegetation and sallying to catch insects in flight.
The Wattled Broadbill is a diurnal and rather sedentary bird, typically observed alone or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. It employs an 'active perch-and-sally' foraging strategy, perching quietly within the forest understory or mid-canopy before launching agile aeri...
The Wattled Broadbill is strictly endemic to the southern Philippines, with its primary stronghold on the large island of Mindanao. Historically, it was also recorded on Basilan Island, southwest of Mindanao, though populations there are now believed to be critically endangered or possibly extirp...
Vulnerable
- The Wattled Broadbill is one of only two broadbill species in the world to possess prominent, fleshy facial wattles, the other being the Visayan Wattled Broadbill (Sarcophanops samarensis). - Its dazzling blue and yellow facial wattles are not feathers but bare skin, which are thought to intens...