Red-and-yellow Barbet
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
| Scientific name | Trachyphonus erythrocephalus |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Family | Lybiidae |
| Size | Length about 20-23 cm; weight about 45-70 g |
How to identify
Striking barbet with a red head, orange and yellow face and underparts, black-and-white spotting, and a stout pale bill; males are brighter than females.
Habitat
Dry bush, scrub, and savanna, often near termite mounds and earth banks used for nesting
Diet
Omnivorous: fruit, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates, sometimes eggs or small vertebrates
When it is active
Diurnal, often conspicuous on termite mounds where pairs or groups sing in a bobbing duet
Where it lives
Eastern Africa, especially Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda
How to spot it
Look for pairs perched conspicuously on termite mounds and rocks in dry bush at Tsavo, Samburu, and similar areas
Photography tips
Position for a low angle against warm rock or the red earth of a termite mound; the vivid colors shine best in soft side light
Threats
No major threats; adapts well to bush country and remains common across its range
Similar species
D'Arnaud's Barbet is duller with a yellow-and-black spotted head and lacks the bright red head of this species.
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