Long-tailed Broadbill
Psarisomus dalhousiae
长尾阔嘴鸟
Introduction
Passeriformes in the family Eurylaimidae, the only species in the genus Psarisomus. Found in the Himalayas extending east through Northeastern India to Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Inhabits broad-leaved evergreen forests from 150 to 2500 meters elevation, typically near streams and freshwater sources. Notable for its shrill, loud call and highly social behavior, traveling in large, noisy flocks except during breeding season. Resident species, though Himalayan populations descend to lower altitudes in winter. IUCN assessed as Least Concern.
Description
Small passerine measuring approximately 25 cm (10 inches) in length and weighing 50-60 grams. Characterized by bright yellow throat and face with a thin yellow band encircling the neck, and a pale-yellow to whitish patch below the throat. Head features a helmet-like black cap with a blue patch on the crown and another at the back of the neck. Back, belly, and upper wings display bright green plumage resulting from pigmentary and structural coloration. Wings have black primary feathers with metallic blue margins and white spots. Long blue tail with black under-tail. Strong, broad bill is yellowish-green with lighter edges; legs are brown and toes pea-green. Juveniles have shorter tails, green heads, and duller overall plumage.
Identification
Readily identified by the combination of yellow face and throat, black cap with blue crown patch, and bright green upperparts. The long blue tail and distinctive broad, flattened yellowish-green bill are diagnostic. In flight, the black primary feathers with metallic blue margins and white spots are visible. Differs from other broadbills by the extensive yellow throat patch and the blue tail. The juvenile lacks the adult's bright coloration and has a noticeably shorter tail.
Distribution & Habitat
Range extends from the Himalayas through Northeastern India and Myanmar, discontinuously across Southeast Asia to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Countries of occurrence include India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Inhabits broad-leaved evergreen, tropical and subtropical moist lowland and montane forests from 150 to 2500 meters altitude, with preference for areas near streams and freshwater. Resident and non-migratory, though high-altitude Himalayan populations move to lower elevations during winter months.
Behavior & Ecology
Highly social forager, typically seen in small flocks of up to 15 individuals and regularly joins mixed-species flocks. Despite loud calls, tends to be shy and remains concealed in foliage. Insectivorous diet includes grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, beetles, aphids, flies, bugs, moths, and spiders; occasionally consumes small frogs, berries, and fruit. Breeding season varies by location: March to April in the Indian Subcontinent, April in Myanmar. Female lays 5-6 white, oval-shaped eggs; both sexes incubate and provision young. May exhibit cooperative breeding behavior. Constructs large pear-shaped nests from fine roots, dead leaves, creepers, and moss, attached to branches of tall trees with a small circular entrance. Vocalization consists of loud, sharp, downward-inflected whistles in series: 'pseeu..pseeu..pseeu' and 'tseeay..tseeay', plus a sharp rasping 'pseeup' call.
Conservation
IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. Populations are considered fairly common throughout the range and occur in numerous national parks where they receive protection. No significant population declines reported; species benefits from extensive range and occurrence in protected forest areas.
Culture
Scientific name commemorates Christina Broun, Countess of Dalhousie (1786-1839), wife of George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie. No additional cultural significance or folklore documented.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Eurylaimidae
- Genus
- Psarisomus
- eBird Code
- lotbro1
Subspecies (5)
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Psarisomus dalhousiae borneensis
northern Borneo
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Psarisomus dalhousiae cyanicauda
southeastern Thailand and Cambodia
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Psarisomus dalhousiae dalhousiae
Himalayas to northeastern India, Myanmar, southwestern China, and Vietnam
-
Psarisomus dalhousiae divinus
southern Vietnam (southern Annam)
-
Psarisomus dalhousiae psittacinus
Malay Peninsula and Sumatra
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.