D'Arnaud's Barbet

Overview

D'Arnaud's barbet is a small East African bird in the family Lybiidae, currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is one of four species within the genus Trachyphonus and is distinguished from the recently separated Usambiro barbet.

Identification

• Reaches approximately eight inches in length.
• Possesses a heavy bill fringed with bristles, characteristic of barbets.
• Vocalises in groups with a specific 'chewp' noise, often simultaneously raising and fanning the tail.

Habitat

Found in East Africa, with its range covering southeastern South Sudan, southwestern Ethiopia, northeastern Uganda, west-central Kenya, southern and eastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, eastern Kenya, and north-central Tanzania. Three geographical races are recognised within this distribution.

Diet

Feeds on a diet of insects, fruits, and seeds. The bird is equally at home in trees or on the ground while foraging.

Did you know?

During courtship, the male and female perform a striking dance where they face each other on nearby twigs, twitching, bobbing, and singing like mechanical toys.