Photo: JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Sicklebill
Epimachus fastosus
Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) is a member of the Paradisaeidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 233 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Paradisaeidae Birds-of-paradise
- Genus Epimachus
- Species fastosus
Where it lives
Montane west-central to south-central New Guinea and northwestern, north-central coastal ranges
Quick facts
- Weight
- 233 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Paradisaeidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Sicklebill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Black Sicklebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) belongs to the Paradisaeidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane wc to sc New Guinea and nw, nc coastal ranges.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 233 g, with a wing length of about 18.9 cm and a tail of around 58.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 81,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Sicklebill?
The Black Sicklebill is a large bird that weighs around 233 g.
Where does the Black Sicklebill live?
The Black Sicklebill is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane wc to sc New Guinea and nw, nc coastal ranges, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Black Sicklebill belong to?
The Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastosus) belongs to the Paradisaeidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black Sicklebill eat?
The Black Sicklebill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black Sicklebill migrate?
The Black Sicklebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Sicklebill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Black Sicklebill make?
1 real field recording of the Black Sicklebill — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black Sicklebill's range?
The Black Sicklebill has a mapped global range of about 81,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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