
Broadbills in Uganda
Broadbills in Uganda: a family of small, thickly coloured birds known as the Broadbills (Eurylaimidae) inhabits the interior of forests. Their bills are flat and wide. Usually, they are between 13 and 28 cm in length. The air passing through their stiff primaries produces a fascinating mechanical sound that African and Rufous-sided broadbills create during a tight circular display fly. Although duller, immatures are similar to adults. Some of these Broadbills include Grauer’s Broadbill, African Broadbill, and Rufous-Sided Broadbills, among others.
Wing song Mysteries of Broadbills in Uganda
Some Broadbills produce captivating sounds using their wing feathers. One such species is the African Broadbill. Researchers Richard Prum and Christopher Clark from Yale University were intrigued by these wing-singing birds. The African broadbill emits a distinctive klaxon-like ‘brreeeeet’ during territorial circular flights. To unravel this mystery, they embarked on an expedition to Uganda in 2011, along with Alexander Kirschel from the University of Cyprus. Despite grueling efforts, they managed to film two elusive African Broadbills and their close cousins, the Rufous-sided Broadbills. The team discovered that the peculiar call is produced by the 6th and 7th primary feathers on the wing. These feathers vibrate as the birds bring their wings down abruptly at the start of each wingbeat.
The Grauer’s Broadbills in Uganda ( Pseudocalyptomena graueri)
Grauer’s Broadbill is the name of a rare and fascinating bird species. A sight to behold for any admirer of the natural world, this bird was formerly known as the African Green Broadbill. These unique birdspecies can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, mostly in the Ruhija sector on the Mubwindi swamp trail, situated in the southwest part of Uganda. A few flocks have been observed in the Neck and along the river. This is a wonderful wonder of nature that is well worth the effort to seek out and observe in its natural habitat.
Appearance of the Grauer’s Broadbills
The Grauer’s broadbill is an exceptionally stunning bird with numerous distinguishing characteristics that enable easy identification. Among the fully grown birds, this tiny bird is even more charming because of its vivid green plumage with a bright blue neck and vent. Grauer’s broadbill is unique among other broadbills because of its short and distinctly different bill. It is remarkable to view the adults’ narrow black eye stripes and buff crowns with delicate black streaks.
The bird’s greenish-blue cap, brilliant yellow throat, and scarlet patch on its breast give it an amazing appearance. Its vivid green feathers stand out sharply against its black wings and tail. Finally, the bird’s broad, flattened bill facilitates the bird’s ability to catch and consume insects. All in all, the Grauer’s Broadbill is an incredibly amazing bird that will undoubtedly catch the eye of anyone who sees it.
Distribution and Habitat of Grauer’s Broadbill (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest)
This lovely bird species is found only in the Albertine Rift Mountains, which are shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A rare inhabitant of Uganda, the Grauer’s Broadbill is located in the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable Forest at heights of 2,100 to 2,200 metres. With its stunning pale blue vent, upper breast, and throat, this lovely bird’s plumage is a striking shade of foliage green.
Its exquisite buff-green crown has tiny, dark stripes all throughout. Young birds have a green vent and are less colourful. It is extremely rare to see Grauer’s Broadbills in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, as they are endemic to highland woods along the Albertine Rift. These birds typically inhabit the lower canopy and upper tiers of the forest undergrowth, where they are known to congregate in small groups of two to four individuals. They may even blend in with mixed-species flocks, skittering deftly around trees while gathering insects. It is a unique experience to witness a Grauer’s Broadbill in the wild because of their eye-catching plumage and lively demeanour.
Vocalisation of Grauer’s Broadbills Uganda
A sequence of high-pitched, rhythmically-patterned hissing sounds can be characterised as the bird’s call. The tone is “sii-sii-sii-siiiii,” with the final note ascending and then falling. This is the cry that the bird usually makes to establish contact with other birds while it is perched or feeding in a group. All things considered, the call is a crucial component of the bird’s communication system since it enables it to keep up social ties with its peers, particularly the chicks.
African Broadbill (smithornis capensis)
The African broadbill is a small, stocky bird that resembles a flycatcher in terms of size and shape. Its length ranges from 12 to 14 centimetres (4.7 to 5.5 inches). Coloration: Seek an appearance that is brightly streaked. Features olive-brown upperparts with black streaks. Pale or creamy-white underparts featuring black lines on the breast and flanks. The crown of a male is black, and the crown of a female is grey. Frequently remaining still, the African broadbill perches vertically on low, horizontal branches. During show flights, keep an ear out for its loud, characteristic “Prrrup” call. Behold its distinct wing-singing technique, in which the sound is produced by the vibration of the sixth and seventh primary feathers. Habitat: Found mostly in southeastern Africa in thick woods and woodlands.
Similar in appearance but with a duller grey crown is the adult female. Birds have grey-brown crowns in coastal Kenya and southeast Tanzania. Their habitats are extensive, but they are solitary, elusive, and local dwellers of healthy forests that range in elevation from sea level to 1800 metres. Long stretches of time should be spent sitting erect and still, but after that, swift movements and difficulty in moving around should be expected. When they vocalise, they spread their wings and produce a harsh, mechanical, vibrating br-er-errrrrrrrr, that falls, rises, and then fades. A low mewling sound that sounds like whistles can be heard at close quarters (huiii, huiii). Like the African Shrike-flycatcher.
The Elusive Rufous-Sided Broadbills (Smithornis rufolateralis)
In contrast to the African Broadbill, the Rufous-sided Broadbill has brilliant rufous spots on the sides of its breast and a black cap that covers its ear coverts and continues below its eye. With the exception of exhibition flying, the white back is mostly hidden. The female has a grey cap that is darker than the male. Its home range is limited to the heart of lowland Congo forests, where it is found in a single 700–1300 m patch in western Uganda.
Vocalization of the Elusive Rufous-Sided Broadbills Uganda
Their ability to expose their wings allows them to vocalise, producing a higher-pitched sound than African Broadbills without the rising and falling sensation. Close-range audible high beginning notes, a soft huiii, and occasionally a protracted wheeeee follow. Thanks to some lucky filming, the team was able to capture one of these birds displaying in the underbrush for 45 minutes straight. The resulting video showed that the wing tips were travelling at a pace of 16 metres per second, generating each pulse of sound during the wing downbeat.
Surprisingly, the feathers only made whispers when researchers attempted to replicate the noises by placing them in a wind tunnel. The 6th and 7th primary feathers started to flap and produce the captivating wing song, revealing the secret when they mounted an intact wing in the tunnel.
In conclusion, these amazing elusive Rufous-sided Broadbills not only adorn Uganda’s woodlands with vivid plumage, but they also enchant their surrounds with their unusual wing-singing skills. This makes them unique species, a delightful experience that is quite interesting, exciting and memorable waiting to be explored.