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
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A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of pytilias. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular and bizarre, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are mostly black, with a rufous collar and a long tail with an odd widened area at its base. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, pale underparts, and a reddish bill. Generally scarce and local in broadleaf woodland and lush savanna. Breeding male similar to other paradise-whydahs, but has a longer tail than Sahel Paradise-Whydah, a shorter and thicker-based tail than Togo Paradise-Whydah, and a slightly shorter tail and more rufous collar than Eastern Paradise-Whydah. Non-breeding male and female can be cautiously identified by their combination of a reddish bill, pinkish legs, and simple facial pattern. Not very vocal, but does imitate pytilia vocalizations.
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