Epimachus is a genus of birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae) that includes two species, found in the highland forests of New Guinea. They are the largest members of the family. The common name "sicklebill" refers to their long, decurved, sickle-shaped bill.[2]
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Sicklebills often associate with astrapias, which are superficially similar but have a short, straight bill and blunt-tipped tail, and the male's wings hiss in flight.[2]
The species in the genus Epimachus are often referred to as "long-tailed" sicklebills, when describing them collectively as a genus. The other sicklebills, genus Drepanornis, are referred to as the "short-tailed" sicklebills. Ironically, the two genera are not closely related. There may also be confusion with the birds of the same name that belong to the hummingbird family, found in the Americas.
The genus Epimachus was introduced in 1816 by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier for the black sicklebill.[3][4] The genus name is from the Ancient Greek επιμαχος (epimakhos) meaning "equipped for battle" (from makhomai "to fight").[5]
In 1972, the genus was merged with the genus Drepanornis,[6] but separated again in 1998.[7] A phylogenetic study placed Epimachus in a clade that includes Paradigalla and Astrapia, implying that the long, curved bill has been acquired independently in Epimachus. According to the same study, the Drepanornis species are closely related to the Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise, Standardwing bird-of-paradise, superb birds-of-paradise, and the riflebirds.[8]
The two species of Drepanornis as well as the two species of Epimachus separated about 10 and 7 mya, respectively.[8] While the two species of Drepanornis occupy different elevations in low- and mid-montane forests, the two species of Epimachus are altitudinal replacements in mountain forests; these two cases could represent old cases of altitudinal speciation.[8]
Species
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Both species of Epimachus are sexually dimorphic. The males of these birds are highly eccentric, with hyperbolically long, saber-like, black tails that reach around 18 inches (46 cm) alone. They also feature two pectoral fan-like plumes on each side of the breast,[7] which they bring up over their heads during their displays.
There is extensive green/purple iridescent highlights found on the head and back of the adult male;[2][7] additionally, blue gloss is present on the tail. The females of both species both have barred underparts, olive-brown upperparts and relatively long tails, though not as extensive as the males' tails.
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"Paradisaeidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-16. Pratt, Thane K. (26 October 2014). Birds of New Guinea. Beehler, Bruce McP,, Bishop, K. David,, Coates, Brian J.,, Diamond, Jared M.,, Lecroy, Mary,, Anderton, John (Second ed.). Princeton, New Jersey. ISBN 978-1-4008-6511-6. OCLC 894139572.{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) Frith, Clifford B.; Beehler, Bruce M. (1998). Birds of Paradise. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198548539. Gregory, Phil (2020). Birds of Paradise and Bowerbirds. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 248. ISBN 9781472975843.