Kingdom Animalia Scientific name Pseudocalyptomena graueri Higher classification Pseudocalyptomena Order Passerine | Family Eurylaimidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Genus Pseudocalyptomena
Rothschild, 1909 Similar Smithornis, Rufous‑sided broadbill, Visayan broadbill, Grey‑headed broadbill, Wattled broadbill | ||
The Grauer's broadbill or African green broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri) is a species of bird in the Eurylaimidae family, and is monotypic within the genus Pseudocalyptomena. Its name commemorates the German zoologist Rudolf Grauer who collected natural history specimens in the Belgian Congo.
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Taxonomy
Baron Walter Rothschild, who described this species, considered it to be a flycatcher only superficially similar to the Asian broadbills of the genus Calyptomena, hence the name pseudo- or "false" Calyptomena. It is currently regarded as an actual broadbill, one of only a few African representatives of a primarily Asian family.
Description
It is bright green with a blue throat and vent and a small bill, quite unlike those of the other broadbills, adult has finely black-streaked buff crown and narrow black eyestripe.
Habitat and range
It occurs in tropical moist montane forest, and is endemic to the Albertine Rift Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In Uganda it is a rare resident at 2,100 to 2,200 metres in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Density is probably less than one individual per km2.
Diet
Grauer's broadbill feeds on seeds and fruit, flowers and flower buds, and some invertebrates.
Status
This species is rare, but currently protected only in part of its range. It is threatened by deforestation and habitat degradation, particularly as its currently known distribution overlaps with areas that have seen massive human population influxes in the recent past. It has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.
