Photo: Joseph Wolf / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Rufous-sided Broadbill
Smithornis rufolateralis
Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) is a member of the Calyptomenidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 19 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 Calyptomenidae African & Green Broadbills
- Genus Smithornis
- Species rufolateralis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Calyptomenidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) belongs to the Calyptomenidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, wc, w.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19 g, with a wing length of about 6.1 cm and a tail of around 4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rufous-sided Broadbill?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is a small bird that weighs around 19 g.
Where does the Rufous-sided Broadbill live?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, wc, w, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Rufous-sided Broadbill belong to?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill (Smithornis rufolateralis) belongs to the Calyptomenidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Rufous-sided Broadbill eat?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rufous-sided Broadbill migrate?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Rufous-sided Broadbill 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 Rufous-sided Broadbill make?
1 real field recording of the Rufous-sided Broadbill can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Rufous-sided Broadbill's range?
The Rufous-sided Broadbill has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Calyptomenidae
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.