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Brown-headed Barbet

Megalaima zeylanica

Description:

The Brown-headed Barbet or Large Green Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica) is an Asian barbet. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. The Brown-headed Barbet is a resident breeder in the Indian Subcontinent, widespread in India and also seen in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is an arboreal species of gardens and wooded country which eats fruit and insects. Nonetheless, it is fairly tolerant of humans and is often seen in cities, in greenery. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2-4 eggs. The bird is largely frugivorous on mangos, ripe jack, papaya, banana, figs and similar cultivated fruit trees. Its habitat includes urban and country gardens though it tends to eschew heavy forest. It nests in a suitable hole in a tree that it will often excavate out, not unlike a woodpecker. A pair will take it in turns to incubate the eggs and they often communicate with each other using their Kura, kura calls.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Brown-Headed Barbet
Megalaima zeylanica Brown-headed Barbet


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romainshanil
Spotted by
romainshanil

Attidiya, Sri Lanka

Spotted on Nov 10, 2012
Submitted on Nov 10, 2012

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