Female © Yvonne Stevens
Male © Dubi Shapiro
Male © Dubi Shapiro
Female © Mike Andersen

Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

A small broadbill of lowland wet forests, often found near water in thick vines and tangles. Note the compact shape, the white throat, the rufous chest, the thin black streaking on the underparts, and the white spangling on the wings. Males have dark heads and backs. Like other African broadbills, has a white patch on the back that can be concealed by other feathers. Overlaps locally with both African Broadbill and Gray-headed Broadbill, but note Rufous-sided Broadbill’s habitat, the rufous on its chest, and the white spots on the wings. Most often located by its display sound, a decidedly frog-like trilling “brrrt” that lasts up to half a second, rising in pitch.

POWERED BY MERLIN