The black-and-red broadbill, scientifically known as Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos, is a fascinating bird species belonging to the Eurylaimidae family. With its unique and distinctive plumage, this species is unlikely to be mistaken for any other species within its range. The average adult size is around 21-24 cm in length, with wing lengths of 9.7-10.8 cm and a weight ranging from 51-65 g. Adult black-and-red broadbills have blackheads and breastbands, greenish-black upperparts, and a maroon half-collar along with bright maroon rumps and uppertail coverts. The scapulars have pure white edges, forming a white line on the closed wing. The tail is black with varying amounts of white, while the bill is dichromatic, with a bright turquoise-blue maxilla and a yellow-orange mandible with a blue tip and edges. The irises are bright emerald green.
Juveniles, on the other hand, have much duller plumage with sooty brown upperparts, maroon patches on the rump and uppertail coverts, brown underparts, and wings. They also have blackish to brownish-blue bills and bronze irises.
Black-and-red broadbills can be found in Borneo, Myanmar, southern Thailand, southern Laos, southern Vietnam, peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra in Indonesia. These birds are mostly found in tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests and in tropical and subtropical mangrove forests, always near water.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, but they also consume mollusks, crabs, and small fish.
Breeding season for black-and-red broadbills occurs from March through to June. Both sexes take part in building the nest, a bulky, untidy ball hanging from the tip of a dead branch or stick about 1-2 m above the water’s surface. The female lays 2-3 eggs within, which are incubated by both parents for 21 days. The chicks are fed by both parents until fledging takes place 17 days after hatching.
This species is reported to be uncommon to locally common over its very large breeding range, and despite this, it is still judged as of Least Concern on the IUCN list.
The black-and-red broadbill, with its captivating colors and unique adaptations, offers a glimpse into the vibrancy of avian life in Southeast Asia. From its dichromatic bill to its emerald green irises, every aspect of this bird is a testament to nature’s beauty and diversity. As we continue to explore and protect the habitats of these remarkable creatures, we ensure that future generations can marvel at the splendor of the black-and-red broadbill and the rich ecosystems it thrives in.
