Bearded barbet

Bearded barbet
Bearded barbet at Denver Zoo, Colorado
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Piciformes
Family:	Lybiidae
Genus:	Pogonornis
Species:	P. dubius
Binomial name
Pogonornis dubius (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
Synonyms
Lybius dubius

The bearded barbet (Pogonornis dubius) is an African barbet. Barbets are birds with a worldwide tropical distribution, although New World and Old World barbets are placed in different families. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills.

Taxonomy

The bearded barbet was

This is a conspicuous, large barbet at 26 centimetres (10 in) in overall length. It is fairly plump, with a short neck, large head and a shortish tail. The adult has a black crown, back, tail and breast band. The throat and belly are red and there is a yellow eye patch. The rump is white. The massive bill is very thick and yellow, and the well developed clump of bristles at its base give the species its name. Sexes are similar. The call is a growling scrawk.[9]

Distribution and habitat

The bearded barbet is a common resident breeder in tropical west Africa. It is an arboreal species of gardens and wooded country which eats fruit, although the young are fed on insects. It is found in well-wooded areas with plentiful fig trees. It will enter gardens for fruit.^[9]

Behaviour

The bearded barbet forms social groups of 4-5 birds and pairs or groups roost together in a tree cavity. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2 white

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  Head and "beard"
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  At Warsaw Zoo, Poland

References