Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet
Trachylaemus purpuratus
A large brightly colored barbet of forests and forest edges. Distinctive with its bright yellow bill and eye ring, dark head, back, and tail, and bright yellow belly with dark patches along the sides. Found in rainforest and lower montane forest, usually in the understory, and especially in treefall gaps, and along forest edges. Voice consists of a low “oop” or “op-oop” given in slow succession, sometimes for several minutes.
Identification
The eastern yellow-billed barbet (Trachylaemus purpuratus) is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the western yellow-billed barbet. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and western Kenya. Two subspecies are recognised: T. p. purpuratus (Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1851) – southeast Nigeria to Central African Republic, north, central DR Congo and northwest Angola T. p. elgonensis Sharpe, 1891 – south Sudan and northeast DR Congo to west Kenya
Taxonomy
Genus: Trachylaemus; Family: Lybiidae; Order: Piciformes.
- Scientific name
- Trachylaemus purpuratus
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Lybiidae
- Genus
- Trachylaemus
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Lattice-tailed Trogon
Trogon clathratus
This large trogon is the only one in its range with a pale eye. Male is green and red with no white band separating the chest from the belly; female similar but gray-brown instead of green. Otherwise, a typical trogon with upright posture, squared-off tail, and stout yellow bill. Sits still at middle levels in trees, slowly turning head searching for prey.

White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis
Large-headed, predominantly brown kingfisher with electric-blue back and wings, heavy red bill, and snow-white patch from the throat through the breast. Common both near and away from water; frequently seen perched on fence posts and telephone lines near wetlands, lakes, agricultural fields, and clearings. Gives jarring, raptor-like descending trills and cackles, often in flight.

Mountain Thrush
Turdus plebejus
Rather dull-colored large thrush of mountain forests, rarely encountered. Feeds mainly in fruiting trees and bushes, less often on the ground. Both sexes gray-brown overall with a black bill and dark legs. If seen well, only confusion species is female Black Thrush, which occurs in the same areas and even at the same fruiting trees. Note that female Black Thrush has yellowish legs, faint throat streaking, and slightly warmer brown tones.
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