Brown Sicklebill

## About

A male brown sicklebill perched on a log.

The brown sicklebill ***(Epimachus meyeri)*** is a close relative of the black sicklebill ***(E. fastosus)***, named for its long curved bill, common among birds of paradise. Brown sicklebills are also rather large with males measuring up to 96cm (38in) as well as females measuring up to 52cm (20in) with males weighing around 144–310g (5-11oz) and females weighing 140–202 (5-7oz). Male brown sicklebills largely mirror male black sicklebills possessing similar black plumage that encompasses all their feathers across their body, with blue markings occurring on the middle-back and the ears adjacent to the eyes. The brown sicklebill however, possesses a fluffy brown brown chest with tasseled feathers and is found at much lower mountainous elevations in comparison to the black sicklebill. Female brown sicklebills also closely mirror their black sicklebill counterparts although, possess a more rufous tufted crest, pale blue eyes as well as a stripe patterned chest/underbelly that fades into dull brown back/feathers.

## Diet

The brown sicklebill's diet is mainly comprised of various different types of fruits and or small animals, typically insects and other arthropods. Earthlife states that brown sicklebills will mostly be found hunting within the tree canopy, avoiding conflict with terrestrial predators. However, this species may also come to ground if food in the canopy is scarce and search through things like moss and leaflitter that provide the bird with food and nutrients. Moss is home to various species such as crabs, lice, shrimp, spiders, scorpions, centipedes and millipedes all of which is taken by the brown sicklebill. The brown sicklebill's food may also be found by ripping off tree bark to acquire arboreal invertebrates.

## Conservation Status

The brown sicklebill is currently classed as Least Concern by the IUCN. They lives in much lower elevations in comparison to their close relatives, the black sicklebill, causing the species to come in unwanted contact with humans more often. The brown sicklebill has little threats because of their minimal connection to human related issues and overall stable population throughout Papua New Guinea. There are adversely few conservation sites identified within the regions that the brown sicklebill occupy. Although the brown sicklebills population has remained stable, deforestation and plume hunting has caused a minor decrease in the population, predominately in highland regions.

## Range and Population

The current population of the brown sicklebill is unknown, it is known that their current population trend is listed as stable by the IUCN. The species is also considered abundant over most of it's range, maintaining stable numbers across New Guinea. Because of the lack of substantial factors that negatively affect the brown sicklebill, there is little concern over the threats impending the species. As displayed on the map, the brown sicklebill occupies much of the central highland regions of Papua New Guinea. The brown sicklebill is mostly distributed from Weyland Mountains to extreme south-eastern Owen Stanley Mountains. Birds of the World state that brown sicklebill will typically avoid human populated regions or areas distributed by human conflict.

## Behaviour

The brown sicklebill's mating ritual is very similar to that of the black sicklebill, with males adopting a very distinctive blanketing ritual that involves the male overshadowing female with his wings. According to Oiseaux-birds, The brown sicklebill starts by fanning it's tail, erecting its body in an arch and showing off it's bright plumes. Protruding flank plumes encircle the body whilst the display is taking place. The breeding of the brown sicklebill takes place during the months of February, May-August and September-December. Much like the black sicklebill, females will also tend to brown sicklebill offspring nests alone after breeding with their selected male. In incredibly rare cases the brown sicklebill has been observed hybridising with the ribbon-tailed Astrapia ***(Astrapia mayeri)***.

### Relationship with Humans

The brown sicklebill lives in high elevations distanced from human contact, meaning that the interactions between this species and humans is kept to a minimum majority of the time. Positive interactions between humans and brown sicklebill is rare, as for years Papuan tribes have used these birds feathers for accessories and as ornaments in cultural rituals very similar to that of the black sicklebill, as the two share very similar traits.

## In Captivity

There are currently no online records of the brown sicklebill in captivity.

## Sources

* Brown Sicklebill | Earthlife - https://earthlife.net/brown-sicklebils/
* Brown Sicklebill | IUCN -https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22706154/94053394#population
* Brown Sicklebill | Birds of the World - https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/brosic1/cur/introduction
* Brown Sicklebill | Oiseaux-birds - https://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-brown-sicklebill.html