Red-headed Barbet

Overview

The red-headed barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) is a species of New World barbet found across several Central and South American countries. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, the species has six subspecies despite a belief that its overall population trend is declining.

Identification

• Males possess a red head, an orange to yellow breast, and a white belly, with a white collar separating the head from the olive green back.
• Females have a green back, a grayish-yellow throat with a yellow to orange band, an olive-yellow lower breast, and a white belly, with the crown and nape varying in colour from dull orange to green.
• The song is described as a resonant, ventriloquial, toad-like trill, often accompanied by calls sounding like grunts and snarls.

Habitat

The red-headed barbet inhabits the interior and borders of evergreen mountain primary forest as well as adjacent secondary forest. Its range covers Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, occupying elevations between 400 and 2,400 m.

Diet

The diet of the red-headed barbet includes arthropods such as caterpillars and adult insects, alongside fruits like berries and bananas, though detailed studies of its feeding habits are limited.

Did you know?

During the breeding season, the species excavates cavities not only in trees but also in fence posts. Unusually, the female incubates the clutch alone at night, while both parents share the duty during the day.