PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS:
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is described as common in the wet lowlands, and locally common in the dry zone.
It is threatened by destruction and degradation of the habitat, but it is present in several protected areas including forest reserves and national parks.
The size of the population is unknown, but it is suspected to be declining.
However, the species is not globally threatened at the moment, and the Crimson-fronted Barbet is currently evaluated as Least Concern.
Fr: Barbu à couronne rouge
Ang: Crimson-fronted Barbet
All: Ceylonbartvogel
Esp: Barbudo de Ceilán
Ita: Barbetto frontecremisi
Nd: Roodkeelbaardvogel
Sd: ceylonbarbett
Photographers:
Steve Garvie
RAINBIRDER Photo galleries
Philip Stapelberg
GALLERY
Illustrator:
John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912)
Illustration’s Origin: A History of the Birds of Ceylon. Volume 1
Text by Nicole Bouglouan
Sources:
HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD Vol. 7 by Josep del Hoyo-Andrew Elliott-Jordi Sargatal – Lynx Edicions – ISBN: 8487334377
ZOOLOGISTS ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY OF SRI JAYEWARDENEPURA - Crimson-fronted barbet
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Crimson Fronted Barbet no longer an Endemic Sri Lankan bird alone
Paradiselanka
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Crimson-fronted Barbet
Psilopogon rubricapillus
Piciformes Order – Megalaimidae Family
INTRODUCTION:
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is endemic to Sri Lanka where it occurs in the low country wet zone and up to mid-level of hills. It can be seen occasionally in the dry zone.
It primarily feeds on fruits, especially figs and berries, but it also takes small insects, especially when feeding the chicks.
They live in pairs but flocks of about 30 individuals congregate at fruiting trees.
During the breeding period, the pair excavates the nest in tree, often rotten coconut tree. Both adults share the nesting duties.
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is described as common in the wet lowlands, but more local in the dry zone. It is threatened by habitat loss, although it is present in several protected areas. The species is not globally threatened at the moment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD:
Biometrics:
Length: 16-17 cm
Weight: 32-39 g
The Crimson-fronted Barbet and all the barbets in general, get their name from the conspicuous bristles which fringe their heavy bills.
The adult male has green plumage on body and wings, and slightly paler underparts.
On the upperwing, the flight-feathers are bordered blackish. On the tail, the outermost rectrices show some dark areas at the edges of the feathers. Both underwing and undertail feathers are greyish-brown, except the wing-coverts which are green.
But head and neck are brightly coloured.
Nape and hindcrown are green, and separated from the red forehead by a black band. The eye is surrounded by a broad, broken, feathered gold eyering, over and under the eye. The lores are black, ending in a black eyeline. A narrow, black band extends around this bright-coloured pattern and contrasts with the other colours.
The blue colour of the lower cheek extends down the side of head and neck. Chin and throat are yellow-orange, and contrast with a small, bright-red patch on the uppermost breast, whereas the upper breast is yellow, becoming pale green on lower breast and rest of underparts.
The short, stout bill is black. Some long, yellow bristles are visible around the nostrils.
The eyes are dark brown, surrounded by dark, naked eyering.
Legs and zygodactyl feet are pinkish-red with brown claws.
The adult female has less bright orange-red on breast.
The juvenile is duller with all-green underparts and paler throat. The bright-coloured markings are absent.
RANGE:
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is endemic to Sri Lanka.
HABITAT:
The Crimson-fronted Barbet frequents wooded areas including evergreen forest, forest edges and plantations of fruiting trees. It may be found in cultivated areas with trees (orchards), but it also occurs in well-populated cities and towns, especially in gardens. This species is the only endemic observed in the heart of Colombo. It also occurs in drier areas, but locally along streams.
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is visible up to 1,300 metres of elevation.
CALLS AND SONGS: SOUNDS BY XENO-CANTO
The Crimson-fronted Barbet often blends inconspicuously with the dense foliage, and it would often go invisible without the characteristic calls described as “pop-op-op-op-op” repeatedly uttered from a prominent bare twig.
Then we can also hear a slowly repeated “wok, wok, wok” call, while the bird is bobbing the head at each note. These calls are uttered at rate of 6 per second, and a slow series of short, single “Whup” notes, at a rate of less than 1 note per second.
The birds are usually located by their incessant calls, a chorus given from the top branches.
BEHAVIOUR IN THE WILD:
The Crimson-fronted Barbet feeds mainly on fruits, especially figs of banyan and bo trees, and also berries. It feeds on fig by pecking several times at the fruit, rather than swallowing it whole.
It also takes a variety of insects, including grubs, termite alates, ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths and mantids.
It is usually solitary, but when it is accompanied by a mate, they do not appear very close, except during the breeding season.
Flocks may gather at abundant food sources such as fruiting trees. After feeding, they reach the treetops and call loudly.
The Crimson-fronted Barbet breeds during the first half of the year. The birds are known to perform much courtship feeding. This behaviour may precede the copulation. The displays continue during the nest-building.
The displays of the barbets may include bowing, swinging of the body and flipping and cocking of the tail. Flight displays may also lead to copulation.
In the present species, this behaviour is poorly known, but we can suggest that the bright colours of the male’s head are exposed and enhanced by adapted postures, especially bowing. It calls continuously and loudly during this period.
Both mates excavate a hole in tree, usually in a decayed branch of living tree. More than one essay is usually made, depending on the hardness of the wood. Both adults share all the nesting duties.
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is resident in Sri Lanka. The species is mainly sedentary, but it may feed sometimes outside the territory.
The flight is fairly swift but somewhat laboured. The bird performs quick wingbeats, sometimes interspersed with a long, dipping movement.
REPRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIES:
The breeding season takes place in the first half of the year, from January to June, with a peak laying in March-April.
The nest is excavated by both mates in dead branch or soft wood in a living tree. The rounded entrance is usually placed on the underside of the branch. The hole is placed between two and ten metres or more above the ground. There is no addition of lining in the cavity.
The female lays 2-3 white eggs on the bare wood. The incubation lasts about two weeks, shared by both adults which take turns. The chicks are fed by both parents with small insects. They stay in the nest for at least five weeks. They remain with their parents for some months after fledging. The young have dull green plumage overall, and some pale yellow tinge on the face.
John Gerrard Keulemans
(1842–1912)
Crimson-fronted Barbet
feeding the chick at nest