Long_Tailed Briadbill Bird

Long-Tailed Broadbill: A Fascinating Bird

The Long-Tailed Broadbill, scientifically known as Psarisomus dalhousiae, is a unique bird species that is found in the Himalayas, extending east through Northeastern India to Southeast Asia1. It is the only bird in the genus Psarisomus1.

Physical Characteristics

The Long-Tailed Broadbill is about 25 cm (10 inches) in length and weighs between 50 and 60 grams1. It can be identified by its shrill call1. The bird displays a yellow plumage on the throat and a blueish-green plumage on the belly, back, and wings1. It has a helmet-like black cap with a sleek blue patch on the crown and a smaller blue patch at the back of their neck1. The feathers along the back, belly, and top of the wings are bright green produced by a combination of pigmentary and structural color1. The underparts of the wings are a lighter green or blueish green1. The primary feathers are black, with a metallic blue margin at the base of the external web and a white spot on the base of the inner web1.

Habitat and Behavior

The Long-Tailed Broadbill is a forest bird that lives on insects1. It is very sociable and normally travels in large, noisy parties except during the mating season1. It builds a pear-shaped nest in a tree. The female usually lays between 5 and 6 eggs that are incubated by both sexes; both sexes also help to feed the young1.

Taxonomy

The generic name Psarisomus comes from the name Psaris, a synonym of Tityra and the Greek word σῶμα sōma "body"1. The Long-Tailed Broadbill is a songbird (Passeriformes) that belongs in the family Eurylaimidae, a group of birds that have broad heads and have flat, broad beak1. It is the only bird that belongs to the genus Psarisomus1.

Subspecies

There are currently five subspecies that are recognized:

P. d. dalhousiae – Himalayan foothills E from N India (Uttarakhand) and Nepal, SE Bangladesh, and from N Myanmar and S China (W & S Yunnan, SW Guizhou, SW Guangxi) S to N Thailand, Laos and C Vietnam (C Annam); reported also from SE Tibet1.

P. d. cyanicauda – SE Thailand and Cambodia1.

P. d. divinus – S Vietnam (S Annam)1.

P. d. psittacinus – Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra1.

P. d. borneensis 1904 – N Borneo1.

In conclusion, the Long-Tailed Broadbill is an intriguing bird species with its vibrant colors, distinctive call, sociable behavior, and unique taxonomy. Its presence adds to the rich biodiversity of our planet.