Species Profile
Bearded Barbet
Pogonornis dubius
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
10–15 years
Length
23–25 cm
Weight
70–90 g
Wingspan
35–40 cm
Migration
Resident
Think you've spotted a Bearded Barbet?
Upload a photo and our AI will confirm it instantly
Confirm with a PhotoGallery
Appearance
The Bearded Barbet is a striking bird with a distinctive red face, throat, and upper breast contrasting sharply with its black body. Its large, pale grey bill is fringed by stiff bristles, giving it a 'bearded' appearance. The wings feature yellow spots, while the vent area is white.
Both males and females share this vibrant coloration, making them indistinguishable in the field. Juveniles have a duller plumage, gradually acquiring adult colors as they mature.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Red
- Secondary
- Yellow
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Markings
Heavy black bill and distinctive red and black plumage
Tail: Short and square
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Bearded Barbets are found across a wide swath of West Africa, from Senegal east to western Cameroon. They inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and forest edges, preferring areas with scattered trees and access to fruiting plants.
These birds are non-migratory, maintaining their territories year-round. They adapt well to modified habitats, often seen in cultivated areas with fruit trees, parks, and gardens near human settlements.
Distribution
Diet
Behaviour
Bearded Barbets are often seen perched conspicuously at the top of trees, scanning for fruit or insects. They are social birds, frequently found in small groups or pairs. Their strong bills are used for feeding and excavating nesting cavities in dead trees, showcasing their carpentry skills.
Calls & Sounds
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Bearded Barbets typically coincides with the onset of the rainy season, varying across their range. Pairs form strong bonds and often remain together year-round.
Nests are excavated in dead trees or branches, with both partners contributing to the construction. The cavity is usually 20-30 cm deep, with a circular entrance about 5 cm in diameter.
Females lay 2-4 white eggs, which both parents incubate for about 13-15 days. Chicks fledge after approximately 27-30 days, and their parents continue to feed them for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Conservation
Population
Estimated: Unknown
Trend: Unknown
Population currently stable, but could be affected by habitat changes
Elevation
Up to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Medium-sized
- Predators:
- Main predators include birds of prey such as hawks and eagles, as well as larger arboreal snakes that can access their nesting cavities.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, loud 'chack' noise
- Breeding age:
- 3
- Maturity age:
- 2
- Feeding times:
- Mostly in the morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss due to deforestation and human encroachment
- Parental care:
- Both parents participate in feeding and caring for young
- Primary calls:
- Loud, repeated 'kow' sounds
- Social habits:
- Solitary or in pairs, sometimes in small family groups
- Egg appearance:
- White and glossy
- Feeding habits:
- Forages in trees, often observed feeding on figs
- Breeding season:
- Varies regionally, typically during the rainy season
- Diet variations:
- Diet varies seasonally based on fruit availability
- Fledging period:
- About 4 weeks
- Average lifespan:
- 12
- Call description:
- Harsh and metallic calls, often repeated in a series
- Daily activities:
- Diurnal, active mostly during the day
- Nesting location:
- Tree cavities
- Number of broods:
- Usually one
- Incubation period:
- 14-16 days
- Nest construction:
- Uses natural cavities or old woodpecker holes
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Migratory patterns:
- Sedentary, with no significant migration
- Age related changes:
- Little change in appearance with age
- Prey capture method:
- Gleaning from foliage and bark
- Conservation efforts:
- Habitat protection in some areas
- Territorial behavior:
- Territorial, especially during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, pair bonds may last multiple seasons
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 2-4 eggs per clutch
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasionally joins mixed-species foraging flocks
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them perched prominently on treetops in open woodlands
- Listen for their distinctive, repetitive 'poo-poo-poo' call
- Observe fruiting trees, where they often feed in small groups
- Check dead trees for nesting cavities, which they frequently excavate
Did You Know?
- Bearded Barbets use their strong bills to drum on branches, creating sounds for communication.
- They play a crucial role in seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration.
- Despite their name, their 'beard' is actually made of bristles around their beak, not true feathers.
Community Photos
Be the first to share a photo of the Bearded Barbet
Upload a PhotoIdentify Any Bird Instantly
- Upload a photo from your phone or camera
- Get an instant AI identification
- Ask follow-up questions about the bird
Monthly Birds in Your Area
- Personalised for your location
- Seasonal tips and garden advice
- Updated every month with new species