Get To Know Toucan Barbet, The Near-Threatened Bird That Will Take Your Breath Away With Its Iridescent Toned Plumage
Many things can leave us speechless, and one of the never-ending sources of wonder is nature. Nature never fails to sweep us off our feet, and this breathtaking bird is proof of that.
If you are a bird lover, you probably already know, but for those who are not familiar with the topic, ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals with the study of birds. Birds are fascinating creatures, and aside from their attractive appearance, they are also essential for pest control, plant pollination, and seed dispersal.
For today’s topic, we have chosen the brightly colored Toucan Barbet. The Toucan Barbet (Semnornis ramphastinus) is a medium-sized bird from the Semnornithidae family.
Birds from this family can be found across South America, on the western slopes of the Andes in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador at altitudes of around 4,600-7,900 ft (1,403-2,408 m). The Toucan Barbet inhabits the Neotropics, where wet mountain forests and edges, as well as low bushy secondary forests with scattered tall trees, are well-established haunts for this colorful bird.
As for its appearance, the Toucan Barbet’s plumage displays a remarkable variety of colors. From the black crown and distinctive white stripes behind the eyes to the golden-brown nape that transitions to yellow towards the rear, bright red middle belly and lower breast, pale yellowish-green lower belly, and grey wings and tail, this fantastic color combination will surely leave you open-mouthed.
Take a look at the photos below and discover more about this eye-catching bird. Meet the Toucan Barbet.
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.
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?
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