Sulawesi Cicadabird Edolisoma morio Scientific name definitions

23–25 cm; 50–67 g. Male nominate race is dark bluish-slate overall, darker on head, with lores, face, chin, throat and upper breast black (throat patch largest in N of range); median and greater upperwing-coverts grey, margined paler, alula black, primary coverts and remiges black, edged grey to blue-grey; rectrices black, tipped white, central pair grey with black tips; underwing-coverts and axillaries dark bluish-slate; iris dark brown; bill and legs black. ­Female is paler grey above (palest in S) than male, no black on head, throat or breast, has lores white, eyering buffy white, blackish spot in front of eye, grey head side mottled white; most of underparts, including axillaries and also underwing-coverts, cinnamon or deep ochraceous, barred black. Juvenile and immature undescribed. Race salvadorii is largest, male more smoky grey than nominate, including on throat, female buffy white below; talautense is intermediate in size, female underparts pale buffy and more closely barred.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Primary and tall secondary lowland, hill and montane forest, forest edge, small forest patches and secondary growth; to 1770 m on Sulawesi.

None recorded.

Eats insects. Occurs in pairs or small groups, also in mixed-species foraging flocks. Gleans quietly but actively in canopy and subcanopy.

Song of male a slow sequence of buzzy, nasal, ringing notes, like sound made by cicada (Cicadidae), alternating with clear, descending whistle. Also gives bursts of excited, piercing “ki” or “ke” calls, rapid, nasal chatter, and low-pitched nasal “chup”.

No information.

Not globally threatened. Widespread, and locally moderately common, on Sulawesi. Common on Talaud Is; uncommon on Sangihe. Occurs in Lore Lindu National Park, on Sulawesi.