The long-tailed broadbill (Psarisomus dalhousiae) is a species of bird that is found in the Himalayas, extending east through Northeastern India to Southeast Asia. It is the only bird in the genus Psarisomus. The long-tailed broadbill is about 25 cm (10 inches) in length and weighs between 50 and 60 grams. It can be identified by its shrill call.
The long-tailed broadbill displays a yellow plumage on the throat. Blueish-green plumage on the belly, back, and wings.
The long-tailed broadbill is a forest bird that lives on insects. It is very sociable and normally travels in large, noisy parties except during the mating season. 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 young.
Taxonomy
The generic name Psarisomus comes from the name Psaris, a synonym of Tityra and the Greek word sōma "body".
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 beak. It is the only bird that belongs to the genus Psarisomus. The scientific name commemorates Christina Broun, Countess of Dalhousie (1786–1839), wife of George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie.
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 Tibet.
- P. d. cyanicauda – SE Thailand and Cambodia.
- P. d. divinus – S Vietnam (S Annam).
- P. d. psittacinus – Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
- P. d. borneensis 1904 – N Borneo.
Description
Adult long-tailed broadbills have a bright yellow throat and face, where the yellow patch ranges on each side of the occiput. They have a helmet-like black cap with a sleek blue patch on the crown and a smaller blue patch at the back of their neck. The underparts of the wings are a lighter green or blueish green. 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 web.
Habitat and distribution
thumb|P. d. psittacinusThe long-tailed broadbill is found in the Himalayas and Myanmar and discontinuously found through South-East Asia and the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra and Borneo.
They are commonly found in broad-leaved evergreen forests, ranging in altitudes from 150 to 2500 meters. They are especially noisy during breeding season.
They build a large pear-shaped nest that is attached to the branch of a tall tree.