Get To Know Toucan Barbet, The Near-Threatened Bird That Will Take Your Breath Away With Its Iridescent Toned Plumage
Few birds can stop you mid-scroll the way the Toucan Barbet can. With its vivid plumage and striking face, this near-threatened species looks almost too colorful to be real.
Known scientifically as Semnornis ramphastinus, the Toucan Barbet lives in the western Andes of South America, where wet mountain forests and secondary growth provide the right setting for its daily life. Its bold mix of black, white, gold, red, and green makes it one of the most eye-catching birds in the region.
From its habitat to its status, there is a lot to learn about this remarkable bird. Read on.
Biometrics:
Toucan Barbets are medium-sized birds. They measure 7.5-8.3 in (19-21 cm) in length and weigh approximately 80–115 g (2.8–4.1 oz).
Behavior:
Toucan Barbets are usually found in pairs. However, they are highly social and live in small mixed-species flocks of up to 6 members. These arboreal birds are early risers and are quite active during the day.
Female Toucan Barbet is very similar to the male Toucan Barbet, except the female's plumage is slightly duller than the male’s.
Nesting:
When it comes to choosing a tree for nesting, they are very particular. Using their scissor-like beaks, Toucan Barbets cut cavities in trees to create their nests. They position their nests at about 1 to 5 meters above the ground.
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Breeding:
Toucan Barbets are monogamous, and their breeding season lasts from February to October. The female lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated by all family members.
After 15 days, the eggs hatch, and all group members are responsible for feeding the chicks. Young Toucan Barbets leave the nest after 43-46 days when they become fully independent.
Diet:
The Toucan Barbet’s diet mainly consists of fruits, but another important part of their diet includes insects.
Insects are usually consumed by adults in April but are more common in the diet of nestlings. These birds have also been recorded eating flower petals.
Communication:
They communicate through body language and vocalizations. During the breeding season, love songs are sung by the breeding pair.
Their calls can travel long distances, and the frequency of their calls changes depending on the season; for example, it decreases in April. When threatened by predators, Toucan Barbets use their beaks to knock and peck on wood, which drives the predator away from the nest.
The bright red iris and distinctive white stripes behind the eyes make these spectacular birds unique.
Check out the video and get to know this unique bird better.
Although Toucan Barbets are not endangered, they have been evaluated as Near Threatened by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Their main threats include humans, habitat loss, cattle grazing, and illegal trapping for the cage bird trade.
If you know where to look, plenty of beautiful things can be found in nature, and we hope we have broadened your horizons with at least one new bird. These arboreal birds are a true gift from nature, don’t you think?
And that near-threatened status makes the bird even more memorable.
Ready for more rainforest eye candy, see Vinícius Kohn’s bird photos hiding in Brazil’s forests.
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