Crested Barbet

Description:

The Crested barbet occurs from Angola and Zambia south to southern Africa, where it is common in a wide range of woodland habitats. It is omnivorous, eating largely insects when fruit is scarce, although the chicks are fed exclusively insects. Both sexes excavate the nest, which consists of a chamber dug into the underside of a dead branch, defended vigorously against other hole-nesting birds. It lays 2-5, usually 3-4 eggs which are incubated by both sexes for about 17 days. The chicks stay in the nest for about 31 days, all the while the breeding pair enlarge the entrance hole as they grow. The Crested Barbet is a small bird with a speckled yellow and red face with a small black crest. The belly is yellow with red speckles, wings are black with white specks and it has a broad black band on its neck. Yellow head and body with black and white feathers, red markings on end of body, its colour blends well in the bush. They have a distinct shrill. Crested Barbets are usually found singly or in pairs. They hop around on the ground looking for food. They do not fly easily and then only for short distances. They are very vocal, the call being a trill that can continue for long periods. Crested Barbets are aggressive towards other birds in their territory and chase off both nest competitors such as other Barbets and other birds such as doves and thrushes.

Habitat:

Crested Barbets roost in holes in trees. Occurs from Angola and Zambia south to southern Africa. Here it is common in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and the Free State Province to Limpopo Province. It prefers moist or dry open woodland, with trees such as miombo (Brachystegia) and Mopane (Colospermum mopane). It also occurs in suburban gardens (where it is welcome, as it feeds on snails) and grassland with patches of alien trees.