Black-browed barbet

Megalaima oorti

(Photo from Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:

black-browed barbet (en); barbudo-malaio (pt); barbu malais (fr); barbudo cejinegro (es); schwarzbrauen-bartvogel (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Passeriformes

Family Capitonidae

Range:

This Asian species is found in southern China and Taiwan, south through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodja, and into the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Size:

The black-browed barbet is 20-24 cm long and weighs 70-80 g.

Habitat:

These birds are found in the upper and middle levels of tropical and sub-tropical forests, up to an altitude of 2.500 m.

Diet:

They eat fruits, berries and insects.

Breeding:

The black-browed barbet breeds in April-September. Both sexes excavate a nest hole in a tree, or sometimes they may utilize an existing natural cavity. There the female lays 2-4 white eggs which are incubated by both parents for 13-15 days. The chicks are fed insects and berries by both parents and fledge 23-29 days after hatching.

Conservation:

IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and, although the global population size has not been quantified, the species is described as fairly common to common in most of its range. There is no information regarding population trends, but the species is not considered threatened at present.