Brown-headed Barbet

Overview

The brown-headed barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus) is an Asian barbet species native to the Indian subcontinent. It inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, though it is also frequently found in urban and country gardens.

Identification

• Streaked brown head, neck, and breast with a distinct yellow eye patch.
• Rest of the plumage is green, featuring a large head, short neck, and short tail.
• Measures approximately 27 cm in length.
• Produces a repetitive kutroo…kutroo…kutroo call, which is silent in winter.

Habitat

Widespread across the Indian subcontinent, ranging from the Terai in southern Nepal to Sri Lanka and encompassing most of peninsular India. It tends to eschew heavy forest, preferring gardens, wooded country, and even city parks where it is fairly tolerant of human presence.

Diet

This arboreal species feeds on fruit and insects, foraging on mangoes, ripe jackfruit, papaya, banana, and figs.

Did you know?

The species is known for its social vocalisation, as other birds will take up the call when one starts. Nests are created in tree holes that the bird will often excavate itself.