Blue-throated Barbet
Psilopogon asiaticus
A common inhabitant of lowland and foothill tropical forests, where it sings brightly but often unseen from the canopy; listen for its repeated 3- or 4-syllabled ‘took-o-rrook!’ Tends to be more common in edge areas and degraded forests than other barbets. Bright green with a blue throat, a red-and-yellow crown, and a heavy, pale-based bill. Birds at the northern and western parts of this species’ range have a black brow, while southern birds don’t.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psilopogon asiaticus
- Authority
- (Latham, 1790)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Megalaimidae
- Genus
- Psilopogon
Range and habitat
The blue-throated barbet is a resident breeder from Nepal through northeast India to Southeast Asia. It is a common inhabitant of lowland and foothill tropical forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-tailed Trogon
Trogon melanurus
Large trogon with a red belly and stout yellow bill. The female has a gray head and chest, while the male is emerald green with a white band separating the chest from its red belly. Note the plain dark gray undertail. Found in canopy and middle levels of lowland forest, mainly in the Amazon basin of northern South America but also in eastern Panama, northern Colombia, and western Venezuela. The similar Slaty-tailed Trogon has a red bill and males lack the white chest band seen on Black-tailed Trogons. Listen for slow series of low-pitched “coop” calls.
White-crowned Manakin
Pseudopipra pipra
Small, plump, and short-tailed. Unmistakable male is glossy black with clean white cap. Female is dull olive-green and similar to other manakins; look for contrasting grayish head and brownish-red eye. Found in the lower or middle levels of forest, often at a male display site or a fruiting tree. Widespread from Costa Rica through much of northern South America.
Bay-backed Shrike
Lanius vittatus
Brightly-colored small shrike, reminiscent of Long-tailed Shrike in overall coloration. Black mask, rufous flanks and back, clean white throat, and small size make it distinctive within its range. Prefers open areas, often in dry regions, with scattered vegetation. Often perches up on exposed snags, fenceposts, or telephone lines. Song is a messy jumble of musical warbles, harsh churrs, and sharp twanging notes. Calls include a harsh “jhiir.”
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