Bearded Barbet
Least ConcernPogonornis dubius
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
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Lifespan
years
The Bearded Barbet typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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:
LybiidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Bearded Barbets use their strong bills to drum on branches, creating sounds for communication.
- They play a crucial role in seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration.
- Despite their name, their 'beard' is actually made of bristles around their beak, not true feathers.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Pogonornis dubius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22681865A92923694.
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