Epimachus
| Epimachus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Brown sicklebill, Epimachus meyeri | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Paradisaeidae |
| Genus: | Epimachus Cuvier, 1816 |
| Type species | |
| Upupa magna[1] = Promerops fastuosus Gmelin, 1788
| |
Epimachus is a genus of birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae) that includes two species, found in the highland forests of New Guinea. They are the largest members of the family. The common name "sicklebill" refers to their long, decurved, sickle-shaped bill.[2]
Sicklebills often associate with astrapias, which are superficially similar but have a short, straight bill and blunt-tipped tail, and the male's wings hiss in flight.[2]
The species in the genus Epimachus are often referred to as "long-tailed" sicklebills, when describing them collectively as a genus. The other sicklebills, genus Drepanornis, are referred to as the "short-tailed" sicklebills. Ironically, the two genera are not closely related. There may also be confusion with the birds of the same name that belong to the hummingbird family, found in the Americas.
Taxonomy
The genus Epimachus was introduced in 1816 by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier for the black sicklebill.[3][4] The genus name is from the Ancient Greek επιμαχος (epimakhos) meaning "equipped for battle" (from makhomai "to fight").[5]
In 1972, the genus was merged with the genus Drepanornis,[6] but separated again in 1998.[7] A phylogenetic study placed Epimachus in a clade that includes Paradigalla and Astrapia, implying that the long, curved bill has been acquired independently in Epimachus. According to the same study, the Drepanornis species are closely related to the Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, Standardwing bird-of-paradise, superb birds-of-paradise, and the riflebirds.[8]
The two species of Drepanornis as well as the two species of Epimachus separated about 10 and 7 mya, respectively.
Species
| Image | Common Name | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
_-_Paradisaeidae_-_bird_skin_specimen.jpeg) |
Black sicklebill | Epimachus fastosus | Found in the Vogelkop region, Wandammen Peninsula, and central New Guinea at elevations of 1500–2000 m. |
 |
Brown sicklebill | Epimachus meyeri | Found across central New Guinea to the Bird's Tail region (Papuan Peninsula) to the southeast at elevations from 2000 to 3000 m. |
Description
Both species of Epimachus are sexually dimorphic. The males of these birds are highly eccentric, with hyperbolically long, saber-like, black tails that reach around 18 inches (46 cm) alone. They also feature two pectoral fan-like plumes on each side of the breast,[7] which they bring up over their heads during their displays.
There is extensive green/purple iridescent highlights found on the head and back of the adult male;[2][7] additionally, blue gloss is present on the tail. The females of both species both have barred underparts, olive-brown upperparts and relatively long tails, though not as extensive as the males' tails.
Distribution and habitat
Sicklebills are endemic to
Brown sicklebills are more common,[9] inhabiting mid and upper-mountain forests,[10] including mossy cloud forest, above the elevations of other sicklebills. Black sicklebills are more rare and inhabit the transition from mid-mountain to cloud forest, occasionally forest edges.[2][11]
References
- ^ "Paradisaeidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
- ^ )
- ISBN 978-0-9568611-1-5.
- ^ Mayr, Ernst; Greenway, James C. Jr, eds. (1962). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 15. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 190.
- ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- OCLC 948758073.
- ^ ISBN 9780198548539.
- ^ PMID 19758445.
- ISBN 9781472975843.
- ^ "Black Sicklebill". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- The Australian Museum. 4 August 2019. ABN 85 407 224 698. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
