Broadbills -Eurylaiminae

As the name suggests, these are birds with very conspicuous bills. Short & broad. More important to note is the ostentatious colors that it has for its bill. The bright colors simple punctuate the profile. Almost all of them, not gaudy, are very tastefully colorful. Most birders would agree with me that they are considered as one of the more beautiful birds.  4 of the species are generally small, just below that of an average sized bird. The long-tailed Broadbill with its tail looks very prominent  as a fair size bird. The exception to this rule is the Dusky Broadbill. This bird is large, dark colored and comes with an "ugly" call as well.

Worldwide there are 8 species - of which 7 species can be found in South-east Asia. We are lucky indeed, Malaysia can be hailed as a Broadbill country. We could easily spot all the species that could be seen in this region.

Green Broadbill Calyptomena viridis
Black-and-red Broadbill Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos
Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae
Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus
Banded Broadbill Eurylaimus javanicus
Black-and-yellow Broadbill Eurylaimus ochromalus
Dusky Broadbill Corydon sumatranus

Learn more about my experiences with these birds as you browse through their pictures below.

1. Banded Broadbills -Eurylaimus javanicus

I do not have that much experiences with the Banded Broadbill. I mean, I am still waiting for the chance to watch them nesting or feeding. This bird presence in an designated area is very much marked by sounds of its rolling call - actually calls made by both birds in harmony. A very common sound in the forest. I would say that the frequency of hearing that calls would be as high as 80% of the occasions that I am in the forested area. It created such a lasting impression. When I compared these calls with the series of single note calls by other Broadbills, I would say that the incidence is so high that I would deduced that Banded Broadbill is the most vocal among birds. Could it be a fact that this is one species of Broadbill that is most common.  When you have chance to make a special note of how often you had hear that call, then you may even agree with me. They seemed to be around, always. Very comforting as well especially when you are out on a day of birding trip. Hearing that call means there might be a chance of meeting up with a quality bird for that day.

On the contrary, this bird is less seen when compared with the Black& Red or the Black & Yellow Broadbills. This is another lowland Broadbill in dull red color and marked with prominent yellow patches. The bird prefers middle storey, which means staying rather high on tall trees. That explain the reason why the bird is spotted less frequent when compared to the other two Broadbills. While the nest may have the untidy Broadbill style outlook, these nests too are suspended very high up on the tree. Very much opposite that of Black & Yellow which is at low height and  away from area with water. 
 

Banded Broadbill # 1

Banded Broadbill # 2

Banded Broadbill # 3

Banded Broadbill # 4

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Banded Broadbill # 24
 

Banded Broadbill # 25
 

2. Black & Red Broadbills - Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos

This is  a very distinctive bird with its bright maroon color and turquoise-blue bill. Very prominently broad as compared to other birds. In actual fact, there is no need for a look out for further diagnostic markings, like the broad black band across the neck or long white streak along the wing. If needed more confirmations, then compare this bird with the Banded broadbill which is also maroon but with bright yellow patches. The Red & Black Broadbill has no yellow marking at all. In the field, both birds are unmistakable and easily distinguished from one another.

This is a very common bird in the undisturbed lowland forest. With rapid development and the fact that this bird do come to the forest edge, it is not surprising to have them very close to areas with humans habitats. Lately I am following through a few couples living in the compound of FRIM  in Selangor. Here there was an endless stream of workers were moving around their chores, yet the birds were constructing nest in the ponds, one after another. The nests, at least 2 of them were destroyed or had fallen down. New one sprung up. I have now seen the fact about the bird's  preferences place with water as nesting sites. The birds were seen in area next to a pond or river. On quite few occasions I had seen nests built in the middle of the a pond or nest over hanging the water's edge.

There had been times in Ampang when the bird was calling near by for long time without being spotted. Eventually, for some reasons unknown to me, he decided to fly out to the open to announcing his presence. That was one of my experiences with the Red & Black Broadbill.. Then more examples. On few occasions, I was sitting in an open area, just meters away from them. They carried on with their nest building chores, bringing in nesting materials flight after flight unabated. So this goes to show that the time even though you may not spotted one yet, who knows there would be one around. Best clue is still-wait for the call. With his calls, you would be alerted that he would spot you first. Just keep your ears fixed for calls.
 

Black & Red Broadbill # 1

Black & Red  Broadbill # 2

Black & Red Broadbill # 3

Black & Red Broadbill # 4

Black & Red  Broadbill # 5

Black & Red Broadbill # 6

Black & Red Broadbill # 7

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Black & Red Broadbill # 9

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Black & Red  Broadbill # 11

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Black & Red  Broadbill # 17

Black & Red Broadbill # 18

Black & Red Broadbill # 19

Black & Red  Broadbill # 20

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Black & Red  Broadbill # 23

Black & Red Broadbill # 24

Black & Red Broadbill # 25

Black & Red Broadbill # 26

3. Black & Yellow Broadbills - Eurylaimus ochromalus

This is a tiny bird, measuring only 14-15 cms, its habit is similar to that of a Flycatcher. The Yellow & Black Broadbill would remain perched for  a fair period of time to be admired. Come to think about that habit, are they there sizing up the situation of a human presence? This is a lowland bird and found in primary forest. Again and unfortunately this is one bird that prefers middle storey and canopy. The good fact is that it also do not hide itself behind foliages. While it may takes some effort to spot, but if they are there, you can be sure that they readily spotted. You can judge for yourself that from this series of pictures, most pictures were shot from below. Summing up all points - the birds though small can be quite easily spotted due its bright colors. Like all Broadbills, looking from a position of comfort. They could remain static for a fair period of time. Summing up the 2 points, it may not be wrong to assume that this is the most friendly among all Broadbills.

The Silver- breasted Broadbill that I had encountered, they did not mind but stayed put within 5 meters of my presence. The Black & Yellow Broadbill did not. This bird kept a much greater distance. While it prefers primary forest, they do come to forest edges. I saw in March 2007, a pair preparing nest in the botanical garden in Kepong. The nest was about 18 meters up and set into between a forked branch. This shows that bird now have joined rank with the Red & Black Broadbill, showing less wary for human presence.
 

Black & Yellow Broadbill # 1

Black & Yellow Broadbill # 2

Black & Yellow Broadbill # 3

Black & Yellow Broadbill # 4

Black & Yellow Broadbill # 5

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Black & Yellow Broadbill # 25

4. Dusky Broadbills - Corydon sumatranus

I learn some tricks of birding from Uncle Foo, like many others too. He influenced me into thinking that the Dusky broadbill is an ugly bird. That impression was etched into my mind especially after seeing the whole family in Congkat as my lifer. Large birds and perched very high up. The air and the surrounding were filled with their calls. Yes, at first glance their looks was so un-Broadbill which are known for their vibrant colors. The Dusky Broadbill as the name implies, is dark in color and a very outstanding broad bill to add to that unusual look. It was not until many years later that with the Panasonic FZ 10 camera that I was able to have pictures of this bird in quality I can decipher.

Though odd, the bird has beauty of its own. It is not black but dark brown. What is really outstanding is the beige colored buffy throat combined with a out of proportion reddish bill. Another lowland bird that prefers low hills. They travel in flock and making lots of noises. Not easy to catch them as a chance meeting but need conscientious search. They prefer middle to the upper storey. On most encounter, they would be way out of range for most cameras. But there are exception. This pair in Bukit Tinggi  was residing on rather high ground. In the afternoon, they would come down to almost eye level for "photographic sessions". I have also read the birds are more active in the late afternoon, just before dark. I do not have that much of experiences to verify this point.

But when you mention Dusky broadbill, one place comes to the mind of most birders Congkat, as I mentioned earlier. Now there was another crowd seen in Rengit. This is also the place where the Green broadbill was spotted. My personal experiences showed, they were seen in the same vicinity.
 

Dusky Broadbill # 1

Dusky  Broadbill # 2

Dusky Broadbill # 3

Dusky Broadbill # 4

Dusky  Broadbill # 5

Dusky Broadbill # 6

Dusky Broadbill # 7

Dusky  Broadbill # 8

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Dusky  Broadbill # 23

5. Green Broadbills - Calyptomena viridis

A very special type of Broadbill quite unlike the rest - Bright green in color. It is rarely spotted for 2 reasons. This is a middle storey  bird. The few times I spotted them was because they came close to the ground. The second reason why this bird is rarely seen. Once the bird remained still, it almost impossible to differentiated its body shape among the sea of green foliages. I spotted it as it flew to a perch. Then the time in Merapoh, it was performing some sort of ritual dashing from perch to perch with lots of bubbling calls.

In the series of pictures below, see picture #3, you could see an odd situation when the Green Broadbill was doing its act on the ground and among fallen debris.

This is another lowland bird endemic in Sumatra. The birds were seen in primary forest of Rengit, Merapoh and even the nearer home place of Congkat. The bird was also recently spotted on Bukit Tinggi, a low hill among tall mountains. That means the bird can be readily spotted if we are more on the alert. 

 

Green Broadbill # 1

Green Broadbill # 2

Green Broadbill  # 3

Green Broadbill  # 4

Green Broadbill  # 5

Green Broadbill  # 6

Green Broadbill #  7

Green Broadbill   # 8

Green Broadbill  #  9

Green Broadbill  # 10

Green Broadbill  # 11

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Green Broadbill  # 13

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Green Broadbill  #  15

Green Broadbill  # 16

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Green Broadbill  #  18

Green Broadbill  # 19

Green Broadbill  # 20

Green Broadbill  #  21

Green Broadbill  # 22

Green Broadbill  # 23

Green Broadbill  #  24

Green Broadbill  # 25

6. Long-tailed Broadbills - Psarisomus dalhousiae

Among our group of birders, we have nick-named this funny but beautiful looking Long-tailed Broadbill, as the "Picasso bird". A gorgeous looking creature with the black cap that shaped like those worn by human and a yellow patch near the "ear". Like most Broadbills, we are usually alerted  its presence in the vicinity before actually spotting them. By their very distinctive high pitch long whistles.

 I like this particular Broadbill as it is larger than most other Broadbills, making it more visible. Then typical of most broadbill, it remains in its perch for a while for good satisfying photographic sessions. Since this is a highland bird and we do not get access to that many mountain top. The good place are therefore confined to Frasers, Old Pump House Road, Cameron Highlands and Maxwell Hills. Now quite a list, but we do not afford to make these long trip often. So, the chances of seeing this bird is curbed to our rare visits.

 

Long-tailed Broadbill # 1

Long-tailed Broadbill # 2

Long-tailed Broadbill # 3

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Long-tailed Broadbill # 15

7. Silver-breasted Broadbills - Serilopus lunatus

The sightings of Broadbill nests, when you see one, it is likely that you would get to see several more. Yes, it gives birders great delight. The nests tell of heavy involvement of Broadbill in the vicinity. Though the nests may appear similar in structure and appearances, the details which also give clues of its owners varies. Being conversant  about the various types of Broadbill's nests, a quick assumption would help us focus on the type of Broadbill, we should expect to see. For example - If they are low usually below 5 meters, then it is likely to be that for the Silver breasted Broadbill. Then if these are hanging from fine branches, think of the Bamboo twigs, then this fact brings you even closer to the Silver-breasted. This is a bird from the sub montane region. Usually a mid storey bird but will perch on quite exposed branches. This will be a bird that you are likely to see in the hill stations.

First something about the Silver-breasted broadbill. When the bird is moving about by itself or in the company of a bird wave, they  looked small, unimpressive and quite often difficult to ID. I could never make out or ID this bird instantly. To me , the whole bird looks like a dull grey blob with flashes of colors. It is only when they are in open view and properly perched, the full beauty of the birds stand out. I think it is a matter how my brain interprets colors.

 

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 1

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 2

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 3

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 4

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 5

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Silver-breasted Broadbill # 7

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Silver-breasted Broadbill # 20

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 21

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 22

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 23

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 24

Silver-breasted Broadbill # 25
 

Broadbills are colorful and also beautiful looking birds. If they are within the area where bird watching is done, the birds then are easily located. This ease of finding them gives the impression that Broadbills are common birds. On the contrary it is fairly difficult to find the places where Broadbill hang out, not forgetting having the need of prior knowledge as to the timing when they should be around. A good example would be the fact that I am still waiting for more pictures of the Long-tailed Broadbill.

The existence of Broadbill in the area is the evidences of old nests hanging from the trees, left over from the last session or the current breeding season. This search is almost completed immediately as the preferred location are vantage points over road that is running through dense forest. Then in the right season, the calls from the birds would be heard. From the calls, the species of Broadbill available could be ascertained.

Most broadbills are not shy bird, meaning the bird would not feel threatened and fly away instantaneously upon being spotted. On the contrary, the bird would remain still for a while. The main problem would be the small size of the bird and the clever way it chooses its perch. I could feel that they were always very close but couldn't locate them until they decide to leave their safe perch and away to another one further away.
 

Broadbill's page of 2012

 

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