Black-billed Barbet

Overview

The black-billed barbet, Lybius guifsobalito, is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its extensive range in the Afrotropical realm.

Identification

• Plumage: Glossy blue-black body with slightly brown wings and belly; upperwings narrowly lined with yellow to white.
• Markings: Bright red or red-orange face, throat, and upper chest, contrasting with grey featherless facial skin and reddish-brown eyes.
• Structure: Medium-sized with a strong black beak measuring 1.9–2.2 cm; blackish grey legs and feet.
• Song: Vocalizations include low growling and two-syllabled 'koop-pup' phrases.

Habitat

This species inhabits open forests, forest edges, woodland, savannah, scrubs, and cultivated areas with fruit-bearing trees. It occurs at altitudes between 900 and 2,200 meters across countries including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Diet

The diet consists mainly of fruits such as figs, guavas, papaya, and various berries, supplemented by insects like beetles, ants, and termites. These birds are adaptable and usually forage in pairs or small groups of up to seven individuals.

Did you know?

Male and female black-billed barbets exhibit no noticeable sexual dimorphism in their body measurements.