Dusky Broadbill

The dusky broadbill is a large, heavy broadbill about 28 cm long. Its plumage is mainly blackish, relieved by a buff throat, a broad white bar across the primaries and a row of white spots near the end of the tail. A wide pinkish bill and matching bare skin around the eye are especially distinctive. A yellow-orange streak on the back is easily hidden when perched but becomes more apparent in flight (BirdForum species account).

It occurs from southern Myanmar and Indochina through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo, inhabiting lowland and hill forest and feeding in the middle storey and canopy. Small, noisy parties search for insects and occasionally small lizards. The species breeds cooperatively: several birds may attend one large, pear-shaped hanging nest woven from twigs, roots, leaves, moss and other plant material. The clutch contains two to four eggs, and birds remain resident within their range (BirdForum species account).