Red-and-yellow Barbet

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

A flamboyant character of African savannahs, this chunky barbet turns heads with its punk-rocker red crest and bright yellow belly as it hops between acacia trees searching for fruit.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is a striking bird with a vibrant red head and neck, contrasting with its bright yellow underparts. Its back is mottled black and white, creating a distinctive pattern. Their long, pointed bill is orange or red and is well-suited for its feeding habits.

Males have a black cap and throat, with females showing red-yellow on the crown instead. Juveniles have duller colouration, with less pronounced red on the head and neck, as well as more yellow and brown colouring.

Size

Length

20cm to 23cm

Wingspan

30cm to 35cm

Weight

40g to 75g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Yellow

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Orange Red

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-and-yellow Barbet can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-and-yellow Barbet can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

The Red-and-yellow Barbet is native to East Africa, found in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. It inhabits dry savannahs, open woodlands, and bush country, preferring areas with scattered trees and thorny scrub.

This species is non-migratory, maintaining a year-round presence in its range. It adapts well to modified habitats, including gardens and farmlands with suitable tree cover.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,320 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-and-yellow 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