Broadbills of the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Nesting
Posted by BESG on 4 July 08, Friday
Contributed by Willis
An earlier post dealt with the seven species of broadbills seen in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. This post deals with some of their nests.
The nest is an untidy woven structure, globular to oval, or pouched-shaped. It is hung some distance from the ground from overhanging branches. There is a side entrance, sometimes with a crude porch. The base of the nest is untidy, with strands of plant materials hanging loose. The inside of the nesting cavity is lined with green leaves. In many instances, the completed nest is adorned with bryophytes, spider silk and cocoon silk. This works well as a camouflage.
The nests of the Black-and-red (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos) (above left), Dusky (Corydon sumatranus) (above right), Long-tailed (Psarisomus dalhousiae) (below left) and Silver-breasted (Serilophus lunatus) (below right) are shown here.
Both parents help in nest construction, but with the Green Broadbill it is reported that only the female is involved (Bruce, 2003). Depending on species, nest construction can take between one to seven weeks, as the birds may collect nesting materials in small amounts. Generally, the birds do not reuse the old nests.
Much of their habits and behaviour have yet to be recorded. The birds are both insectivorous and carnivorous. The recent posting of the Silver-breasted swallowing a cicada is a new feeding record.
All images by Willis.
Reference:
1. Bruce, M. D. (2003). Family Eurylaimidae (broadbills). Pp.54-93 in: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. eds. Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 8. Broadbills to Tapaculos. Barcelona: Lynx Editions.
2. Wells, D.R. (2007). The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsular. Vol. II, Passerines. Christopher Helm, London.
This post is a cooperative effort between www.naturepixels.org and BESG to bring the study of bird behaviour through photography to a wider audience.
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