Birdsong field guide
African Broadbill
Smithornis capensis
A small, stocky forest bird characterized by its broad beak, streaked plumage, and remarkable mechanical courtship displays.
What it sounds like
A loud, mechanical, buzzing 'prreeee-it' produced by vibrating primary feathers, alongside occasional soft 'twick' vocalizations.
Field notes
- Males produce a loud, frog-like 'krooo' sound using specialized wing feathers during short, circular display flights.
- It possesses a hidden patch of white silky feathers on the back that is only exposed during displays or when agitated.
- As a suboscine passerine, its vocalizations are innate and genetically programmed rather than learned from other birds.
- The nest is a characteristic hanging bag made of moss, bark, and fibers, typically suspended from a thin, low-hanging branch.
- Despite their wide bills, they are primarily insectivorous, capturing beetles and grasshoppers through rapid aerial sallies.
Habitat
Dense lowland and montane evergreen forests, riverine thickets, and mature deciduous woodlands.
Range
Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Sierra Leone east to Kenya and south to eastern South Africa.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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