The African green broadbill is also known as Grauer’s broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri). It is an interesting marked with green color on its neck and normally inhabits tropical forested areas around the Albertine rift region of Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, the African green broadbill can be located in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Bwindi is one of a few national parks located on the edge of Albertine rift in southwestern Uganda. The park is not only known for mountain gorillas but also for rare bird species that are spotted within the park premises and on its fringes. Over 300 bird species that live in Bwindi forest including 23 rift valley endemics and 14 cannot be spotted elsewhere in Uganda.
Feeding.
Like any other bird, the African green broadbill feeds on seeds, fruits, flowers and some invertebrates like snails, insects among others. Mostly forest dwellers, the African green broadbills are spotted near fig trees as they search for soft seeds or fruits around such trees. The African green broadbill is mostly camouflaged since its colors reflect the environment it lives in.
Breeding.
Little information is known about the breeding science of African green broadbill but either monogamous or polygamous mating takes place. A male can mating with one or very many females respectively. Apparently breeding takes place in the months of May to October after heavy rains and they lay 2 to 3 eggs which hatch after 22-25 days.
The African green broadbill likes bathing from the streams and they are identified with a range of different calls. They either whistle, rattle, scream or even thrill. To hear their sweet voices, take a birding expedition early in the morning or late in the evening. They are one of the birds that don’t make a lot of noise in the forest like the weavers which make sounds the whole day.
A fully grown African green broadbill weighs 45 to 70g and a wingspan of 17cm. Their lifespan is normally 6 to 19 years. Though African green broadbill is one of the smallest in the broadbill family, they are mostly identified by a plumage that is green in color. Males are differentiated from females by a black spot behind ears and the bands around their wings, while females have dull green feathers.
The African green broadbill is one of the rare bird species in Uganda, dwelling in Bwindi impenetrable national park. Mubwindi swamp in Ruhija sector is where it can be easily spotted though their population is not yet known. While in Bwindi for a birding safari in, you are not only blessed with sightings of the African green broadbill, but also other interesting birds like African Emerald Cuckoo, African blue, White-tailed blue, Flycatchers, African green pigeon among others.
The African green broadbill is therefore one of the rarest species and the bird guides in Ruhija sector of Bwindi forest understand the best spotting points where it can be easily sighted.
