Bearded Barbet

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

 

Facts about this animal

With a length of 25cm and a weight of 80-108g, the bearded barbet is the second largest of the African arboreal barbets, topped only by the black-breasted barbet (Lybius rolleti). The plumage is dominated by black on the head, back, wings, tail and lower chest. The upper breast is red as is most of the lower breast, although the lower is mixed with white. A band of black feathers separates the two areas. Yellow skin surrounds their eyes. Sexes look similar. Like many barbets, the bearded barbet has a strong bill with 'teeth' or grooves.

Bearde barbets occur around trees in dry areas, including umbrella thornAcacia tortilis spp., baobab Adansonia digitata, sycamore figs (Ficus sycomorus) and others, eating fruit and presumably insects as well.

Little is known about the (wild) breeding habits of the bearded barbet. They seem to breed throughout the year, depending on the location but the most common period appears to be from May to September. Since its bill is not as “chisel-like” as that of a woodpecker, they tend to excavate nests in the softer wood of dead trees or its limbs. Unless they can take over an old woodpecker’s hole. Courtship includes food offerings, tail flicking and some vocalizations. This occurs 1 or 2 months before the breeding season. Copulation is frequent during the breeding season usually after the courtship feeding. There are usually 2 eggs, which incubate after at least, 16 days. The chicks are fed a diet of fruit and insects. They fledge after approximately 40 days.

 

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 11F of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

Find this animal on ZooLex

 

Photo Copyright by
Larry Linton