Picoagudo
Sharpbill
Oxyruncus cristatus
Song
Sharpbill
Appearance: The Sharpbill has a nice appearance with a sleek, grayish-brown body, a slightly crested crown, and a broad bill that reflects its feeding style. Its underparts are lighter, with a faintly streaked pattern. Features bright yellow eyes which contribute to its striking appearance.
Habitat: Sharpbills are found in humid tropical forests. They favor areas with dense foliage. They reside at elevations of 800 to 1,600 m (2,620 to 5,200 ft) above sea level, often inhabiting understory and lower canopy layers.
Behavior: Sharpbills forage for insects and other small invertebrates in the foliage. Known for their calls, which are a series of melodious whistles. They sing to establish territory and during mating displays. Solitary or found in pairs, they are not overly social and prefer to stay within their own territory.
Breeding: They build cup-shaped nests made from twigs and leaves, often hidden in dense vegetation to protect against predators. Breeding occurs from March to July, with females laying 2-3 eggs per clutch. Both parents contribute to feeding the chicks after they hatch, assisting in their development.
Conservation Status: The Sharpbill is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Distribution
Andean Region: Found at appropriate altitudes (800 to 1,600 m), Sharpbills inhabit the temperate, cloud forests along the Andean mountain range in areas with dense vegetation.
Caribbean Region: They are also present in parts of the northern lowland tropical forests that connect with the Andean foothills, though their presence can be more localized compared to other regions.
Taxonomy
The Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Oxyruncidae
- Genus: Oxyruncus
- Species: Oxyruncus cristatus
Vocalization
The Sharpbill's song consists of a series of melodious, whistled notes. It often consists of repetitions that can sound complex and musical. Calls may vary in pitch and length, with some being short and sharp while others are longer and more fluid. Males are known for their more elaborate and varied songs during the breeding season.
Vocalizations are used to establish and defend territory. Males sing to announce their presence and ward off rivals. During courtship or breeding displays, males may increase their vocal activity to attract females, showcasing their fitness and dominance. Vocal calls also serve for communication between mates or in pairs, helping them coordinate during foraging or alerting each other to potential threats.
The quality of the vocalization can vary depending on the habitat. In dense forests, the acoustics may influence how far the call travels and how it's perceived by other birds.
