White-cheeked Barbet

Overview

The white-cheeked barbet, also known as the small green barbet (Psilopogon viridis), is an Asian barbet species restricted to southern India. It is visually similar to the more widespread brown-headed barbet but is distinguished by specific head markings and a limited range.

Identification

• Length of 16.5–18.5 cm with a brownish head streaked with white, sometimes appearing capped.
• Distinctive supercilium and a broad white cheek stripe located below the eye.
• Pale pink bill and an upright posture that makes it difficult to spot in the green foliage.
• Monotonous call described as 'Kot-roo...Kotroo...' beginning with an explosive 'trrr', with a single 'wut' note heard in hot afternoons.

Habitat

Found in the forest areas of the Western Ghats south from the Surat Dangs, extending into parts of the southern Eastern Ghats, particularly the Shevaroy and Chitteri Hills. It is a monotypic species with a type locality in Mahé, Puducherry.

Diet

Primarily frugivorous, feeding on fruits of Ficus species including Ficus benjamina and Ficus mysorensis, as well as introduced species like Muntingia calabura. It opportunistically consumes insects such as winged termites and visits Bombax flowers for nectar, obtaining most of its required water from its fruit diet.

Did you know?

A species of tick in the genus Haemaphysalis is specific to this bird, and some of these ticks carry the virus responsible for Kyasanur forest disease.