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The Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica) is an Asian barbet. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a world-wide tropical distribution. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. It is found in Assam too.
This barbet eats fruits and insects.
五色鳥（學名：Megalaima nuchalis）[1]，因其羽毛有五種顏色而得名。
身長約20～23公分，喙基上黑色嘴鬚發達，身體多為翠綠色，頭部大部份為藍色，額頭和喉部有黃色分佈，眼先和前頸有小部份紅色，眼部至耳羽上方則為黑色，粗厚嘴部為黑色，腳鉛灰色。叫聲單調而響亮，類似敲木魚「叩叩叩……」[2]，又因其羽色多彩繽紛，而被稱作「花和尚」。在繁殖時會啄樹洞為巢。
The Brown Headed Barbet is a common bird found through out India. The bird lives in wooded areas and feeds on fruits and insects. It lives in tree holes and lays 2 to 4 eggs. The adult bird has a streaked brown head and a brown chest. It has a yellow/red eye patch and a thick red beak. Both the sexes are similar in looks
Kingdom :Animalia
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Piciformes
Family : Megalaimidae
Genus : Megalaima
Species : M. zeylanica
Binomial name
Megalaima zeylanica
Brown headed Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica) nominate subspecies M.z. zeylanica is a resident of Sri Lanka. They are found from lowlands to hills. Belongs to Capitonidae family.
පොළොස් කොට්ටේරුවා උප විශේෂ M.z. zeylanica ලංකාවේ ජීවත්වන පක්ෂියෙකි.පහත රට සිට මැදි කඳුකරය දක්වා විසිරී ඇත.
The female just woke up from a afternoon nap and looking out from her back room window with a sleepy face. This will be the place where she will lay her fertilised eggs. Do the incubation until the babies hatch, raise them til they fledge. It's hard work for her and her mate, but part and parcel of a barbet's life
五色鳥停駐於木棉花樹上
In Taiwanese, we call this bird "Five color bird". It is a beautifl woodpecker.
When I took the photos for the Ceiba, I was surprised that I saw this bird in Taipei city.
英名：Muller's Barbet
學名：Megalaima oorti
目名：鴷形目 (Order Piciformes)
科名：五色鳥科(Family Capitonidae)
五色鳥家族的鳥類在台灣只此一種，是台灣特有亞種，為台灣普遍的留鳥。從陽明山到墾丁，都不難看見。牠全身翠綠，羽色鮮麗，頭頸部彩妝藍色、黃色與紅色，眼部且畫有一道黑粗的眉，這一身藍、黃、紅、黑、綠，便是五色鳥名字的由來。身形矯健，擅於穿越林間跳躍，不擅長飛行。
體長約為20公分，羽色極為鮮豔，以綠色為主，頸部以上雜有黃、紅、藍和黑五種顏色，是一種相當美麗的鳥類。鳴聲響亮，以喉部鳴囊發出類似「郭、郭郭郭...」之喉音，好像和尚在敲木魚般，又名「花和尚」。
在人類的「清理」之下，野外的枯木愈來愈少，可供營造窩巢的地方已經顯得不足，沒想到枯木在自然界中，也有其特殊的重要性。
Ceiba木棉花為木棉科，落葉大喬木，別名斑芝樹、英雄樹、攀枝花等，原產於印度、印尼及菲律賓。樹幹直立，有明顯瘤刺，側枝輪生，往水平方向伸展，橙黃或橙紅色花朵大而鮮艷，果實為蒴果，成熟後裂開散出棉絮，花季時先開花再長出新葉，樹形陽剛，常作為行道樹。
Red-crowned Barbet (Psilopogon Rafflesii)
The red-crowned barbet belongs to the order Piciformes (woodpeckers and relatives), family Capitonidae (barbets), subfamily Megalaimatinae (typical Asian barbets) (Shorts & Horne, 2002). According to Shorts & Horne (2002), there are currently three subspecies of Megalaima rafflesii recognised. Megalaima rafflesii malayensis occurs from southern Myannmar to the Malay Peninsula, Megalaima rafflesii billitonis from the Belitung and Mendanau Islands, Megalaima rafflesii borneensis from Borneo but made not indication of the range of the nominate subspecies Megalaima rafflesii rafflesi. Subspecies of this barbet have been rejected on the basis that variations in body size, and tone of blue parts were found to be age- rather than geographically linked (Wells, 1999).
The red-crowned barbet has a smaller, yellow malar-patch, and has a blood-red cap stretching from the bill to the nape. It also has a blood-red spot below the eye, and two larger spots at the side of the throat. There are also bright light blue markings on the chin, throat as well as a long supercilium with black lores and ear-coverts. The remainder of the bird such as the mantle, back, rump, uppertail coverts, tail feathers, and the wing are generally bright leaf-green. The legs are a dull ash-grey.
The red-crowned barbet, is a lowland species always found below 600 m altitude (Shorts & Horne, 2002) and usually found in the canopy of lowland evergreen rain forest including peat swamp forest as well as mature secondary forest and younger regenerated forest after disturbance (Wells, 1999). In comparison the brown barbet, and the blue-eared barbet are only found in pristine primary forest or in areas were disturbed forest have regenerated and reaching its climax (Wells, 1999) and as such have been extirpated from Singapore (Jeyarajasingam & Pearson, 1999). Today, the red-crowned barbet has nearly been eradicated from Thailand owing to forest clearance, and in Singapore, only persists because of its tolerance for secondary growth (Wells, 1999).
The red-crowned barbet usually feeds in the canopy on fruits from trees as well as vines. The red-crowned barbet was seen feeding from a fruiting canopy-height vine at Pasoh Forest in Negri Sembilan, Peninsular Malaysia. Canopy-level strangler fig trees’s syconia such as those of the Malayan banyan (Ficus microcarpa) are the favourite food menu of this species, so often seen at mass-fruiting Malayan banyan trees in Taman Negara, although none were seen at a fruiting grey fig (Ficus virens) tree, where other Megalaima species were observed. The red-crowned barbet has also been recorded taking animal food such as borer grubs excavated with its strong bill from rotting wood and has also been recorded feeding on an arboreal snail (Amphidromus species) in the Central Catchment forest of Singapore. The red-crowned barbet has also been known to follow mixed-species foraging flocks of mainly insectivorous passerines searching the canopy foliage for insects and fruit. This ability to interact with other species, and to exploit other food sources other than fruit on a regular basis could also be the reason why this species has been able to survive in Singapore, when the other two forest barbets have gone extinct (Shorts & Horne, 2002). The blue-eared barbet, like red-crowned barbet, is reportedly a strict canopy feeder, visiting only fig tree crowns in the main canopy and not visiting lower fig plants. The blue-eared barbet has been observed to take syconia in the diameter range for 5.4–27.7 mm, with utilisation increasing towards the lower end, with most activity observed at the diameter of 11.6 mm. The blue-eared barbet is more territorial with respect to food sources and are observed to defend patches of fruit in a crown, chasing away even larger frugivorous species. This behaviour could be the reason why this species went extinct, owing to over-competition, and lack of a suitable number of fruiting fig plants at any point of time. The brown barbet has similar preferences to both red-crowned barbet and blue-eared barbet with respect to fig size, and seems to be as flexible as red-crowned barbet with respect to exploiting animal foods. We have observed brown barbet at Bukit Tinggi, Malay Peninsular searching foliage and the surface and crevices of bark on branches and trunks for animal foods as well as eating flowers of trees or vines.
Like other barbet species, a prerequisite for the red-crowned barbet habitat seems to be the presence of trees with sufficient dead wood in their branches, which is suitable for excavating cavities, which are required for nesting (Shorts & Horne, 2002). Previously, very little was known about the breeding habits of red-crowned barbet, except for the fact that they prefers to nest in rot-softened wood (Fig. 4) including entire dead trees usually around 5–8 m up with broods of one to two fledglings and clutch size that is undescribed (Wells, 1999). Excavation of the nest holes are reportedly done by both members of the pair and usually with more than one hole being constructed. No other information is available on the courtship behaviour of this species. The blue-eared barbet, on the other hand, tends to nest higher, also in dead tree trunks but between 3–25 m up, with a nest hole of around 3 cm in diameter. A clutch size of 2–4 eggs is reportedly common (Shorts & Horne, 2002). Courtship of this species includes incessant singing by both members in the pair, with much head bobbing, and side to side movements of the tail with courtship feeding observed. The brown barbet, unlike th red-crowned barbet and blue-eared barbet, are communal nesters, with three or more pairs nesting together in dead tree trunks and branches, but also in arboreal termitaria, 1–20 m up (Wells, 1999), and in the bottom of a bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus). The brown barbet usually has a clutch size of 2–3 eggs with broods of two or three nestlings (Wells, 1999; Shorts & Horne, 2002).
The red-crowned barbet call consists of a sequence of 10–15, even-toned, mellow hoots delivered at a steady rate of three per second except for a noticeably longer pause after the second, or first and second notes: “hoop, hoop, hoophoop-hoop-hoop……..” usually from a high perch in deep foliage (Wells, 1999).
NATURE IN SINGAPORE 2009
PAST AND PRESENT RECORDS
In Singapore, the red-crowned barbet is an uncommon resident and is only observed in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) in mature secondary and primary forest, and because of its restricted range in Singapore, was listed as nationally rare in the 1st edition of the Singapore Red Data Book and nationally-near threatened (Wang & Hails, 2007). In the latest (2nd) edition of the Singapore Red Data Book, this species has not been of conservation concern, so unlisted. However, we feel that because it is solely restricted to the BTNR and CCNR, and has almost disappeared altogether in Thailand owing to lack of a good forest habitat, it should be conferred at least a status of nationally vulnerable. We have observed the red-crowned barbet taking a variety of foods including the usual fig syconia from a regularly fruiting Malayan banyan trees at the summit of Bukit Timah and the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. Others included fruits from oil fruit (Elaeocarpus species), MacArthur’s palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii) (Fig. 5), fishtail palm (Caryota mitis), turn-in-the-wind (Mallotus paniculatus), wild cinnamon (Cinnamomum iners), salam (Syzygium polyanthum) (Chan & Chan, 2006; Wee, 2006b; our observations). Insects are also eaten quite regularly with a mantis observed being brought back to the nest (Chan & Chan, 2006) as well as moths and katydids caught in the foliage of trees. The red-crowned barbet has also been recorded feeding on arboreal snails (Amphidromus species) in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve forest (Wee, 2006a). The blue-eared barbet, on the other hand, was formerly only found in small numbers from the BTNR and Pulau Ubin with young birds collected on Pulau Ubin (Wang & Hails, 2007). The brown barbet, like the blue-eared barbet, is also now extinct and was previously recorded from the Woodlands area and Pulau Ubin in small populations in freshwater swamp forest and swampy coastal forest.
Nesting records of the red-crowned barbet in Singapore are rare and was first recorded in 1979 at Peirce Reservoir (Wells, 1984). A more recent nesting was observed by a few people from the CCNR. On 12 May 2006, a red-crowned barbet was spotted in the CCNR forest at Track 7 near the Upper Seletar Reservoir Park, picking fruits from a tree and was tracked back to a hole in a dead tree trunk. Both the male and female were observed entering the nest with fruits in their beaks and exiting the nest with faecal waste material, indicating that the eggs have hatched and the chick(s) have began to feed. Both adults were seen at the nest together only once, thereafter were observed taking turns entering the nest regularly with fruits (oil fruit, and salam) in their beaks, and exiting the nest with faecal waste in their beaks. The returning parents would perch on a nearby branch to survey the surroundings for a period of time, presumably to look out for predators before flying into the nest. This same nest was also observed by Chan & Chan (2006), and Wee (2006b), who observed a variety of fruits being brought back to the nest including fruits of sendudok (Melastoma malabathricum), wild cinnamon, oil fruit, and salam which were carried back in twos or threes as well as the occasional insect which included a mantis. The larger fruits such as the fruits of oil fruit, which were too large for the chicks, were observed to be crushed and regurgitated for the young (Wee, 2006b). This routine was observed for a period of 16 days. On the 17th day, the chick began to pop its head out frequently and feeding was performed outside the nest entrance. On the 26th day after the start of the observations, a chick was observed to have fledged, and flew to a nearby branch, after which one of the parents continued to feed the chick until it finally flew off, and was never seen again. No definitive breeding records are available for both blue-eared barbet and brown barbet for Singapore, except for the fact that young birds were collected from Pulau Ubin, suggesting breeding there, without a single nest reported (Wang & Hails, 2007).
CONCLUSIONS
Although the red-crowned barbet was reported to only feed on main canopy crown fruiting trees as mentioned earlier, this species has shown great adaptability in Singapore, by learning to exploit other food sources such as sub-canopy fruiting palms (both native and exotic species) such as the fishtail palm, and MacArthur’s palm, as well as animal foods such as insects and molluscs, and as such has been able to escape extinction, unlike the blue-eared barbet and brown barbet. The future of this species is intrinsically linked to the health of the forest at both the BTNR and CCNR. It has so far not been observed anywhere else such as the Bukit Batok Nature Park, which is only short distance from the BTNR. We therefore suggest that this species should at least be conferred the status of nationally vulnerable.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would also like to thank Mark Chua, Johnny Wee and Lee Tiah Kee for providing photographs of this beautiful forest barbet species.
LITERATURE CITED
Chan, M. & Y. M. Chan, 2006. red-crowned barbet: Feeding of nestlings. besgroup.talfrynature.com/2006/07/19/red-crowned-barbet-f.... (Accessed 19 Dec. 2008).
[Credit: lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg]
@ pasir ris park
Coppersmith Barbet, Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala)
Megalaima haemacephala
Myaing Hay Wun Park, Yangon
This common bird in S and SE Asia is easy to recognize and easy to hear by its "coppersmith' tinking call.
Blue-throated Barbet ~ Megalaima asiatica ~ Barbu à gorge bleue ~ कुथुर्के (Kuthurke) ~ Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park ~ Kathmandu, Nepal
Juvenile Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)
The Coppersmith Barbet or Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala) is a bird with crimson forehead and throat which is best known for its metronomic call that has been likened to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer.
Like other barbets, they chisel out a hole inside a tree to build their nest.
They are mainly fruit eating but will take sometimes insects, especially winged termites.
Habitat and distribution
It is a resident found in South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.
Throughout their wide range they are found in gardens, groves and sparse woodland. Habitats with trees having dead wood suitable for excavation is said to be important. Birds nest and roost in cavities.
In the Palni Hills of southern India it is said to occur below 4000 feet. In the Himalayas it is found mainly in the valleys of the outer Himalayas up to 3000 feet. They are rare in the dry desert zones and the very wet forests.
[Credit to: beautyofbirds.com/]
Taken at Kedgaon, Pune, India.
From my archives.
The Coppersmith Barbet, Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala), is a bird with crimson forehead and throat which is best known for its metronomic call that has been likened to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer.
More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coppersmith_Barbet
Coppersmith Barbet calling : www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIKPPdI2ylo
Clicked from the living room window while it was feasting on guava. A very strong flier. Diet consists mostly of fruits that it tears open with its powerful beak. Has a white cheek stripe with grass-green plumage above and white breast streaked brown. Also known in India as the Small Green Barbet. They play an important role in forests as seed dispersal agents. Their fruit eating makes them a nuisance in fruit orchards where often they leave behind half-eaten fruits.