Species Spotlight: Colourful Leafbird of India

I’ve called out many a “leaf bird” in my travels, but few resembled this handsome one! Flashing brightly-coloured wings and tail, Orange-bellied Leafbirds use their long, slender, decurved bill to glean insects from the canopies of deciduous, broadleaf forests.

The 7 1/2 inch long Orange-bellied is one of 11 species in the Leafbird family, found in Southeast Asia. Their name derives from their ability to blend perfectly into green leaves while foraging. We’ll see the Orange-bellied Leafbird in the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains during our Northern India tour which runs November-December.

Northern India: Tigers and Taj