Black-browed Barbet
Psilopogon oorti
Loud but sluggish and difficult-to-see canopy inhabitant of highland forests in peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Note the leaf-green body, brightly colored face, and heavy black bill. More often heard than seen; listen for its long, unending series of hollow-sounding notes. Like many other barbets, it can be difficult to locate when singing, but can sometimes be seen at fruiting trees. Formerly regarded as the same species as Taiwan, Indochinese, and Chinese Barbets.
Identification
The black-browed barbet is mostly green with a yellow blue-bordered throat. It has black streaks above the eyes and red patches above its bill, lores, throat and nape. One female measured was 21.5 cm (8.5 in) long and weighed 62 g (2.2 oz).
Taxonomy
Bucco oortii was the scientific name proposed by Salomon Müller in 1835 who described a barbet specimen collected in Sumatra.It was placed in the genus Megalaima proposed by George Robert Gray in 1842 who suggested to use this name instead of Bucco.Molecular phylogenetic research of Asian barbets revealed that Megalaima species 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 in the genus Psilopogon.
- Scientific name
- Psilopogon oorti
- Authority
- (Müller, S, 1836)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Megalaimidae
- Genus
- Psilopogon
Range and habitat
The black-browed barbet inhabits montane and dipterocarp forests between 600 and 2,000 m (2,000 and 6,600 ft) in western Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black-browed barbet forages on insects and fruits in the upper and middle levels of the canopy. In Sumatra, it breeds from February to November, and in Malaysia from March to June. It nests in tree holes.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Wattled Ploughbill
Eulacestoma nigropectus
A fairly small, plump bird with a unique bill shape of montane forest. Male is yellow-green with black wing, chest, and two large, pink, fleshy wattles beside the bill. The female is olive-green with paler underparts. Forages low and especially likes climbing bamboo. Uses its strong bill to strip wood and dig into branches. Male plumage is unique, but even with the female’s non-descript plumage, the bill shape should be a give-away. Voice, a single, long, high-pitch note.
Elliot's Pheasant
Syrmaticus ellioti
Pale and stocky-looking pheasant of hill forests with dense undergrowth; generally scarce due to poaching throughout its range. Male is unmistakable: mostly brown above with a white belly, silvery head, bright red face, and a long pale gray tail with thick russet bands. Female is smaller and shorter-tailed with a faded version of the male’s patterning. Can be quite tame in areas where are protected and fed by rural communities.
Black-hooded Antshrike
Thamnophilus bridgesi
Antshrikes have large, flat heads and large, hooked bills; they often angle their tails downward, below the line of the body. Male Black-hooded is mostly black with a slightly paler belly; note small white spots on the shoulder. The female is paler gray overall with whitish streaking on the head and breast. Most often seen in pairs in the understory of forest and edges. Follows mixed flocks. Listen for accelerating chuckle with a longer raspy note at the end.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.