Species Profile
White-cheeked Barbet
Psilopogon viridis
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLength
22–25 cm
Weight
75–100 g
Wingspan
35–40 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Small Green Barbet
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Appearance
The White-cheeked Barbet is a medium-sized bird with predominantly green plumage. Its most distinctive feature is the white cheek patch, contrasting sharply with the brown crown and nape. The throat and breast are streaked with brown and white.
Both sexes look similar, with no significant seasonal changes in plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but may have duller colouration and less defined facial markings.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- Brown
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Markings
White cheeks and throat, white stripe above eyes
Tail: Short and stubby with green feathers
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
White-cheeked Barbets are endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southwestern India.
They inhabit tropical and subtropical moist forests, including evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as well-wooded gardens and plantations.
These birds are non-migratory and maintain their distribution year-round.
Distribution
Diet
The White-cheeked Barbet is primarily frugivorous, with a strong preference for figs. They also consume other fruits, berries, and occasionally insects.
Their feeding behaviour involves plucking fruits while perched or sometimes hovering briefly to reach distant items.
Behaviour
White-cheeked Barbets are primarily arboreal, moving through the canopy with short, direct flights. They are often seen perched upright on branches, scanning for fruit.
These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs but may form small groups at abundant food sources.
Calls & Sounds
The White-cheeked Barbet's call is a distinctive, repetitive 'kot-roo, kot-roo' or 'kutroo-kutroo'.
This vocalisation is often heard throughout the day, especially during the breeding season. The call is loud and carries well through the forest canopy.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for White-cheeked Barbets typically occurs between February and May. Pairs form monogamous bonds during this period, engaging in courtship displays that include head-bobbing and calling.
Nests are excavated in dead tree trunks or branches, creating a cavity about 30 cm deep. The female usually lays 2-3 white eggs, which both parents incubate.
Incubation lasts about 14 days, with chicks fledging after approximately 35 days. Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the young.
Conservation
While the White-cheeked Barbet is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanisation.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving its forest habitats and maintaining fruit-bearing trees in urban and suburban areas.
Population
Estimated: Not quantified, but common throughout its range
Trend: Stable[2]
Insufficient data to determine trends
Elevation
Up to 1,800 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 2.9 x 2cm, weighing around 6.5g
- Predators:
- Main predators include larger birds of prey, such as hawks and owls, as well as arboreal snakes and small mammals that can access their nests.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp and rapid 'tuk tuk tuk'
- Breeding age:
- Unknown
- Maturity age:
- Unknown
- Feeding times:
- Morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Parental care:
- Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the young
- Primary calls:
- Loud, repetitive 'kutroo kutroo'
- Social habits:
- Solitary or in pairs, not very social
- Egg appearance:
- White and glossy
- Feeding habits:
- Feeds on fruit and catches insects in flight
- Breeding season:
- February to May
- Diet variations:
- Seasonal variation based on fruit availability
- Fledging period:
- Around 40 days
- Average lifespan:
- Unknown
- Call description:
- Distinctive and repetitive, can be heard from a distance
- Daily activities:
- Active throughout the day, foraging and calling
- Nesting location:
- Tree cavities
- Number of broods:
- Mainly one, but sometimes two
- Incubation period:
- About 14 days
- Nest construction:
- Excavates nesting holes in dead wood or rotting trees
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory
- Migratory patterns:
- Resident, non-migratory
- Prey capture method:
- Picking from foliage or catching in flight
- Conservation efforts:
- None specific, but occurs in many protected areas
- Territorial behavior:
- Territorial during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, may use the same nest site for several years
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Typically 2-4 eggs per clutch
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally does not interact much with other bird species
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for White-cheeked Barbets in fruiting trees, especially figs
- Listen for their distinctive call, which is a good indicator of their presence
- Observe tree holes in forested areas, as they may be nesting or roosting sites
- Be patient, as they can remain still for long periods while foraging
Did You Know?
- White-cheeked Barbets play a crucial role in seed dispersal, particularly for fig trees.
- They have a unique zygodactyl foot structure, with two toes facing forward and two backward, aiding in their arboreal lifestyle.
- These barbets create new nesting cavities each breeding season, providing homes for other cavity-nesting species in subsequent years.
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