Lemon-throated Barbet

Overview

The lemon-throated barbet (Eubucco richardsoni) is a small species of bird in the New World barbet family, Capitonidae, native to the western Amazon Basin. It is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, though its populations are believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Approximately 15.5 cm long, with the male nominate subspecies featuring a red crown, grey-blue nape, and green upperparts.
• The male's throat is yellow and breast orange-red, while the duller female has a grey-green crown, bluish throat, and orange-gold breast.
• Song consists of soft double or usually triple 'hoo' notes in a fast, trill-like series, accompanied by various grunts and snarls.

Habitat

Found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, this species inhabits lowland terra firme and dense secondary forest, as well as the edges and clearings of várzea forest. It is more numerous in maturing forest near rivers and lakes than in fully mature forest, ranging in elevation from the lowlands up to 1,375 m in Colombia.

Diet

While the specific diet of the lemon-throated barbet is undocumented, it is assumed to be similar to the flame-throated barbet, consisting of fruits and arthropods in approximately equal proportions. Foraging occurs from the canopy to 5 m above the forest floor, most commonly between 12 and 24 m, and the bird frequently joins mixed-species flocks.

Did you know?

The species has recently been split by some authorities; while the IUCN treats the flame-throated barbet as a separate species, the American Ornithological Society and others include it as subspecies of the lemon-throated barbet.