White-cheeked Barbet

Fascinating facts about the White-cheeked Barbet

• In the lush forests of Sri Lanka, a bird's call echoes through the trees at 126 decibels - as loud as a rock concert. This is the White-cheeked Barbet, using its syrinx to produce a sound powerful enough to be heard over a kilometre away, advertising its territory to potential rivals.
• Every monsoon season, a White-cheeked Barbet will excavate a new nesting tunnel, up to 30 cm deep, using its sturdy beak and tongue to remove wood chips and sawdust. This intricate engineering feat takes around 8 weeks to complete, providing a safe haven for its eggs and chicks.
• White-cheeked Barbets have a peculiar way of eating fruit - they toss it up in the air and catch it, sometimes repeating this process up to 5 times. This quirky behaviour helps to remove seeds and pulp, allowing the bird to access the fruit's nutritious inner flesh, with some individuals consuming up to 200 figs in a single day.
• Conservation efforts are underway to protect the White-cheeked Barbet's habitat, with over 25% of Sri Lanka's forests now designated as protected areas. This move has helped to stabilize the bird's population, with estimates suggesting around 10,000 individuals remain in the wild, relying on these sanctuaries for survival.
• Researchers have found that White-cheeked Barbets play a crucial role in seed dispersal, with some trees relying almost entirely on the bird to spread their seeds. In a single year, a White-cheeked Barbet can disperse up to 1,500 seeds, contributing to the growth of new trees and the diversity of the forest ecosystem, highlighting the intricate connections between species in these delicate environments.

At a glance

About the White-cheeked Barbet

The White-cheeked Barbet (Psilopogon viridis) is a striking avian inhabitant of the tropical forests and woodlands of Southeast Asia, particularly prevalent in the lush landscapes of India and Myanmar. With its vivid green plumage and distinctive white cheeks, this medium-sized bird presents a dazzling sight against the verdant backdrop of its habitat. Its stout, slightly curved bill is perfectly adapted for its omnivorous diet, which primarily consists of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. The barbet's calls, a series of melodious notes, echo through the forest, serving both as a means of communication and a way to establish territory, particularly during the breeding season when males are especially vocal and vibrant in their displays. Their preference for dense foliage makes them adept at maneuvering through the trees, often foraging in pairs or small groups, and they are known to nest in tree cavities, where they lay their eggs in a secluded environment, providing safety from predators. One of the most surprising traits of the White-cheeked Barbet is its unique method of feeding, which involves a behavior known as 'drumming.' By tapping its bill against the tree bark, the barbet not only finds insects hidden within crevices but also creates a rhythmic sound that can resonate through the forest, attracting potential mates or signaling to other barbet species. This fascinating behavior showcases the bird's intelligence and adaptability, allowing it to thrive in the diverse ecosystems it inhabits. As the sun filters through the leaves, illuminating the barbet's vibrant colors, one cannot help but be captivated by the intricate dance of life that unfolds in its natural habitat, hinting at the complex interconnections within this rich ecosystem.

Discover more wildlife