Great Barbet
Psilopogon virens
This largest of the barbets is colorful, but often appears all-dark from a distance. No other barbet in its range combines the features of a massive pale bill, black head, and dark olive back. Sluggish and shy; tends to stick to dense forest canopy, where it is difficult to see. Its loud hooting song (typically a series of two repetitive notes) is often the only indication of this species’s presence. Also gives a harsh, screaming “karrrrr” that has a gull-like quality.
Identification
The great barbet has a blue head, large yellow bill, brown and green-streaked body, belly and a red vent. The plumage is green. It is the largest barbet species with a body length of 32–35 cm (13–14 in) and a weight of 192–295 g (6.8–10.4 oz).
Taxonomy
Bucco virens was the scientific name proposed by Pieter Boddaert in 1783 for a great barbet that had been described by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in 1781 based on a specimen collected in China. It was illustrated in a hand-coloured plate engraved by François-Nicolas Martinet.<p>It was placed in the genus Megalaima proposed by George Robert Gray in 1842 who suggested to use this name instead of Bucco. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the following great barbet zoological specimens were described:<p>Molecular phylogenetic research of barbets revealed that the birds in the genus Megalaima form a clade, which also includes the fire-tufted barbet, the only species placed in the genus Psilopogon at the time. Barbets formerly placed in this genus were therefore reclassified under the oldest genus name of Psilopogon.<p>Four great barbet subspecies are recognised as of 2014:<p>Results of a phylogenetic study of Asian barbets indicate that the great barbet is most closely related to the red-vented barbet (P. lagrandieri) occurring in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
- Scientific name
- Psilopogon virens
- Authority
- (Boddaert, 1783)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Megalaimidae
- Genus
- Psilopogon
Range and habitat
The great barbet is a resident breeder in the lower-to-middle altitudes of the Himalayas, ranging across northern Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan, Bangladesh and some parts of Southeast Asia, as far away as Laos.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The great barbet's nesting season is from April to July. It typically builds nests in tree holes. Both male and females take care of the young. Its diet consists mainly of fruits and insects.The male's territorial call is a very loud kay-oh. The alarm is a harsh keeab, and another call is a repetitive piou-piou-piou-piou.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Socotra Buzzard
Buteo socotraensis
A typical medium-sized brown-and-white buzzard that was only recognized as distinct in 2010. The underparts are whitish buff with heavily streaked underparts (lighter on the throat). Underwings display significant contrast, with pale primaries and secondaries standing out against black 'wrists' and rusty 'wingpits'. Juveniles are buffier and less heavily streaked. Uncommon resident endemic to Socotra, mostly between 150–800m, preferring ravines and cliffs; other buzzards are vagrants. Calls like other buzzards.
Red-throated Crag-Martin
Ptyonoprogne rufigula
A subtly colored member of the swallow family. Dark brown on the back with paler underparts. The forked tail has white spots, though these are not always easy to see. The “red throat” amounts to a slight pinkish tinge. Nests in canyons, escarpments, gorges, and on human structures. Often seen in pairs or small groups. At a distance, can be confused with “Riparia” martins; look for Pale Crag-Martin’s white tail patches. Separation from Southern Crag-Martin may be tricky, but there is little overlap in range.
Olivaceous Elaenia
Elaenia mesoleuca
Small nondescript flycatcher usually seen in pairs. Found in the interior and borders of forests. Olive-brown above and grayish breast with a pale belly. Note two wingbars and lack of a crest. Very similar to Small-billed Elaenia but has two (not three) wing bars and a darker breast. The song is harsh and squeaky “weel-weekru.”
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