The birds of paradise are some of the most stunningly beautiful and elaborately adorned birds in the world. There are over 40 different species of bird of paradise, most of which are found in New Guinea. These birds are famous for the bright, elaborate plumage of the males.
While most birds of paradise have bold, vibrant colors, there are some species where the male is mostly or entirely black. The intensity of the black coloration makes these birds truly remarkable. Of these black birds of paradise, the black sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) is considered the blackest species.
What Makes the Black Sicklebill the Blackest?
The black sicklebill is covered in iridescent black plumage from head to tail. Both the male and female are primarily black, with only small amounts of brown on the wings and tail.
Most other black birds of paradise still have bright plumage patches on certain parts of the body, such as the head or breast. For example, the male black-billed sicklebill has a bright red-orange facial disk. The male King of Saxony bird of paradise has elaborate head plumes decorated with lime green scales.
The black sicklebill lacks these embellishments, resulting in a more uniformly black appearance. Even the bill and legs are black. The dark coloration covers the entire body.
When sunlight hits the feathers, they shine with a bluish-purple iridescence. But the overall impression remains intensely black. No other bird of paradise appears as deeply black from every angle.
Where is the Black Sicklebill Found?
The black sicklebill is native to New Guinea, an island north of Australia that is divided between Indonesia in the west and Papua New Guinea in the east.
Within New Guinea, the black sicklebill inhabits mountain forests at elevations between 1,300-2,600 m. It ranges across much of the central mountain spine of the island.
Its habitat consists of dense, wet mountain forests dominated by oak trees and heavy moss cover. The wet climate keeps the forests suitably damp.
What Does the Black Sicklebill Look Like?
Male
The male black sicklebill has striking all-black plumage covering the entire body, as described above. When the light catches the feathers correctly, their iridescent sheen is visible.
Other notable features include:
– Large black bill that is strongly hooked at the tip, resembling a sickle. It measures around 16 cm long.
– Elongated forehead feathers that form delicate curls.
– Distinctive bare black skin around the eye.
– Long black tail around 18 cm in length. The tail is graduated, meaning the middle feathers are the longest.
– Total length from bill to tail is approximately 110 cm.
Female
The female is smaller than the male, with a total length around 95 cm. She also has primarily black plumage, but with subtler iridescence.
Some key differences from the male:
– Smaller bill that is all black.
– Lacks elongated forehead plumes.
– Less bare facial skin around the eye.
– Shorter tail around 13 cm long.
– Brownish wash on wings and tail.
What Does the Black Sicklebill Eat?
The diet of the black sicklebill consists mainly of fruits and arthropods.
Fruits eaten include those from forest trees such as figs, peppers, nutmegs, and mistletoe. The sicklebill uses its large hooked bill to pluck the fruits while perched or hovering.
It also eats insects, caterpillars, millipedes, snails, and spiders. These arthropods supplement the fruit component.
Foraging takes place high in the forest canopy. The sicklebill can sometimes hang upside down to reach fruit and prey items.
Interesting Black Sicklebill Behaviors
Display
Like other birds of paradise, the male black sicklebill performs remarkable courtship displays to attract females.
He finds an open display court on a forest branch and clears the court of leaves and debris. When a female approaches, he contorts his body, sways back and forth, and rhythmically vibrates his plumage while making loud calls.
At the climax, he wildly spins around showing off his iridescent feathers. This beautiful display highlights his deep black plumage.
Lekking
The male sicklebill gathers with other males at communal lek sites to display. Up to 12 males may assemble in the same tree.
Each male defends a display perch and advertises to visiting females. If females are sufficiently impressed, they may mate with the males.
By aggregating, the males can better attract scarce females. But they must also compete heavily for mates at the leks. Males try to usurp popular perches from each other.
Polygamy
The black sicklebill is polygamous. Successful dominant males may mate with multiple females in a single breeding season.
Subordinate males often fail to attract any mates at all. This results in skewed reproductive success, with a handful of top males siring a disproportionate number of offspring.
What Threats Does the Black Sicklebill Face?
The black sicklebill faces substantial threats to its future survival, reflected in its conservation status:
– IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
– CITES: Appendix II
Major threats include:
– **Habitat loss** – Logging and land clearing in New Guinea have degraded the bird’s native mountain forests.
– **Hunting** – Indigenous groups have traditionally hunted the birds for their feathers. The male’s elongated forehead plumes are used in local ceremonial headdresses.
– **Climate change** – Rising temperatures could alter montane habitats and threaten high elevation specialists like the sicklebill.
However, the species remains moderately abundant across a wide enough distribution that extinction risk is reduced. Ongoing habitat protection will be vital for long-term preservation.
Fun Facts About the Black Sicklebill
– The black sicklebill is the national bird of Papua New Guinea, appearing on the country’s flag and coat of arms.
– Early European explorers named it one of the “Birds of Paradise” due to the male’s beautiful appearance and courtship displays.
– Males congregate for competitive mating displays at traditional lek sites that may have been used for a century or more.
– Their early morning courtship displays incorporate unique vocalizations like explosive snaps, high-pitched squeals, and bizarre boings.
– Males utilize their distinctive bill shape to produce resonant calls that sound like a bell or trumpet.
Conclusion
With its entirely black plumage and dramatic coloring, the black sicklebill lives up to its billing as the blackest of the birds of paradise. This mysterious forest dweller from New Guinea has captivated people for centuries with its beauty. While facing some conservation threats, it remains an iconic and enduring symbol of avian evolution and diversity. The sheer spectacle of its appearance and courtship rituals will hopefully continue to astound biologists and bird enthusiasts alike for many generations to come.