Grey-headed broadbill

The grey-headed broadbill is a species of bird in the family Calyptomenidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

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Distribution

Region

Lower Guinea and Congo Basin

Typical Environment

This species inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland rainforest, especially dense, shaded understorey and midstorey layers. It frequents vine tangles, forest edges near streams, and lightly disturbed forest where canopy cover remains high. The bird typically forages from low to mid-level perches and avoids open habitats. It occurs from southeastern Nigeria through Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea into Gabon, the Central African Republic, and both Congos.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size17–19 cm

Wing Span25–28 cm

Male Weight0.044 kg

Female Weight0.041 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The grey-headed broadbill is an understorey specialist of Central African lowland rainforests and is often detected by its mechanical wing-snaps during display. Males perform conspicuous perch displays with rapid wing-clicking, a hallmark of African broadbills. It relies on intact forest structure and is sensitive to heavy logging and fragmentation.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually encountered singly or in pairs, occasionally accompanying mixed-species flocks in the understorey. Pairs maintain small territories and perform display perches where males produce loud wing-snaps. Nests are typically suspended, globular structures with a side entrance placed low to mid-height in dense vegetation.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations include soft, repeated whistles interspersed with characteristic mechanical wing-clicks during display. The song is modest in volume but carries in still forest conditions and is often the best way to detect the species.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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