Grauer's broadbill

Grauer's Broadbill, also known as the African Green Broadbill, is a captivating bird belonging to the Eurylaimidae family. It is the sole species within the Pseudocalyptomena genus and is named after the German zoologist Rudolf Grauer. Initially misidentified as a flycatcher by Baron Walter Rothschild, it is now correctly recognized as a true broadbill and one of the few African members of a family that predominantly resides in Asia.

This bird is truly striking with its vibrant green plumage, blue throat and vent, and a small bill. Adult Grauer's Broadbills are distinguished by their unique black-streaked buff crowns and eye stripes. They inhabit the tropical moist montane forests of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which extend across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. They are frequently found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest at elevations between 2,100 and 2,200 meters.

Grauer's Broadbill has a diverse diet that includes seeds, fruits, flowers, flower buds, and even some invertebrates. Sadly, this exquisite bird faces considerable threats due to deforestation and habitat degradation driven by human population growth in its region. The IUCN has classified the species as vulnerable, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to ensure its continued survival.