Wattled Broadbill Sarcophanops steerii Scientific name definitions

16·5–17·5 cm; 33·7–44·4 g (mayri). Distinctive eurylaimid with prominent blue eye wattles . Male has maroon-purple forehead and crown, black face and throat, white collar; mantle and back dark grey, lower back to tail rufous  , rump and uppertail-coverts with purple wash; wings black, prominent white band on tertials, yellow band across secondaries; underparts  lilac, centre of belly to vent yellowish-white; iris green to blue or yellow, blue fleshy wattle up to 6 mm wide around eye; bill light blue; legs and feet bluish. Differs from S. samarensis in larger size, whiter collar, grey on upperparts, yellow in wing. Female  is like male, but underparts  pure white. Immature has white throat, gradually becoming black, olive-green crown and wash on upperparts, ill-defined wingbar more buffish-pink than white, eye wattle yellow. Race <em>mayri</em> is slightly smaller than nominate, male underparts usually paler.

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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.

Rainforest; dipterocarp and mixed dipterocarp forest, including remnant patches, hillside secondary forest, also secondary forest close to undisturbed riverine forest; occasionally mangroves, scrub forest. Mostly lowlands, usually well under 1000 m; occasionally to 1220 m.

Resident.

Insectivorous, but no details of prey species. Forages at middle and lower levels, singly, in pairs, or in small flocks of up to 6 birds. Makes short sallies to glean insects from vegetation, or to seize them in flight, before returning to same or nearby perch  ; also observed chasing insects by jumping from branch to branch. Insects may be beaten against a branch before being swallowed. Sometimes in mixed-species foraging flocks.

Poorly known; one call  said to be a plaintive whistle  .

Few records; females with egg in oviduct in Apr–May, and immatures in Apr, Aug, Dec and Jan; main season probably Apr  –Jun. Nest described as large, elaborate, shaped like hanging purse. No other data.

VULNERABLE. Restricted-range species: present in Mindanao and the Eastern Visayas EBA. Uncommon to rare on Mindanao, Basilan and Malamaui; recently considered fairly common on Dinagat and Siargao, but now very local and uncommon on both islands. Since 1980, recorded at only a handful of sites, three of those in Mindanao and including Mount Apo National Park; also from Siargao (a protected area) and Poneas. As with all forest broadbills, this species is sensitive to habitat disturbance; has probably disappeared from many areas, such as in S Mindanao. Deforestation of lowlands has occurred extensively throughout its range, and is continuing at rapid pace; little original forest is left on any of the islands occupied by this species, and most remaining forest lies above 1000 m. This broadbill’s range is almost certainly now highly fragmented, and its numbers are thought to be in serious decline.