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Bearded Barbet

Pogonornis dubius

Least Concern
A charismatic bird with a colorful character of forests and woodlands across West Africa.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Bearded Barbet is a striking bird with a distinctive red face, throat, and upper breast contrasting sharply with its black body. Its large, pale grey bill is fringed by stiff bristles, giving it a 'bearded' appearance. The wings feature yellow spots, while the vent area is white.

Both males and females share this vibrant coloration, making them indistinguishable in the field. Juveniles have a duller plumage, gradually acquiring adult colors as they mature.

Size

Length

23cm to 25cm

Wingspan

35cm to 40cm

Weight

70g to 90g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Black

Secondary Colour

Yellow White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Bearded Barbet can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Bearded Barbet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Bearded Barbet can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Bearded Barbets are found across a wide swath of West Africa, from Senegal east to western Cameroon. They inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and forest edges, preferring areas with scattered trees and access to fruiting plants.

These birds are non-migratory, maintaining their territories year-round. They adapt well to modified habitats, often seen in cultivated areas with fruit trees, parks, and gardens near human settlements.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Bearded Barbet. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 65

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Bearded Barbet displays moderate agility, adeptly manoeuvring through woodlands and perching on treetops. Its ability to forage for fruits and insects across various tree levels suggests decent aerial prowess, though it's not known for exceptional acrobatics.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With its powerful, chisel-like beak, the Bearded Barbet demonstrates considerable strength. This feature enables it to excavate nesting cavities in dead trees and tackle a variety of fruit sizes, indicating robust physical capabilities for its size.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Bearded Barbet shows high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from savannas to forest edges, and even in modified environments near human settlements. Its varied diet of fruits, insects, and occasionally small lizards further demonstrates its adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 55

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not typically aggressive, Bearded Barbets likely defend their territories and nesting sites with moderate vigour. Their social behaviour, often seen in small groups or pairs, suggests a generally peaceful disposition, but they may show some aggression during breeding seasons.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Bearded Barbet's endurance appears moderate. As non-migratory birds maintaining year-round territories, they demonstrate steady energy levels. Their ability to engage in extended bouts of calling and drumming on branches for communication suggests reasonable stamina, though they're not known for exceptional feats of endurance.

Diet

The Bearded Barbet's diet primarily consists of fruits, particularly figs. They also consume insects, especially during breeding season, and have been observed eating small lizards. Their strong bill allows them to tackle a variety of fruit sizes, making them important seed dispersers in their ecosystem.

Behaviour

Bearded Barbets are often seen perched conspicuously at the top of trees, scanning for fruit or insects. They are social birds, frequently found in small groups or pairs. Their strong bills are used for feeding and excavating nesting cavities in dead trees, showcasing their carpentry skills.

Vocalisation

The Bearded Barbet's call is a distinctive, monotonous series of 'poo' or 'poop' sounds, repeated at regular intervals. This vocalization, often described as 'poo-poo-poo-poo', can continue for extended periods and is a characteristic sound of their woodland habitat.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Bearded Barbets typically coincides with the onset of the rainy season, varying across their range. Pairs form strong bonds and often remain together year-round.

Nests are excavated in dead trees or branches, with both partners contributing to the construction. The cavity is usually 20-30 cm deep, with a circular entrance about 5 cm in diameter.

Females lay 2-4 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 13-15 days. Chicks fledge after approximately 27-30 days, and their parents continue to feed them for several weeks after they leave the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]
While the Bearded Barbet is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, it faces localized threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its woodland habitats across West Africa.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Unknown

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for them perched prominently on treetops in open woodlands
  • Listen for their distinctive, repetitive 'poo-poo-poo' call
  • Observe fruiting trees, where they often feed in small groups
  • Check dead trees for nesting cavities, which they frequently excavate

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Family:

Lybiidae

Average Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Predators

Main predators include birds of prey such as hawks and eagles, as well as larger arboreal snakes that can access their nesting cavities.

Did You Know?

  1. Bearded Barbets use their strong bills to drum on branches, creating sounds for communication.
  2. They play a crucial role in seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration.
  3. Despite their name, their 'beard' is actually made of bristles around their beak, not true feathers.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Pogonornis dubius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22681865A92923694.

    View source

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