Crested Barbet {Trachyphonus vaillantii}

The Crested Barbet is a small bird with a speckled yellow and red face with a small black crest. The belly is yellow with red speckles, wings are black with white specks and it has a broad black band on its neck. Yellow head and body with black and white feathers, red markings on end of body, its colour blends well in the bush. They have a distinct shrill.

Crested Barbets are usually found singly or in pairs. They hop around on the ground looking for food. They do not fly easily and then only for short distances. Crested Barbets roost in holes in trees. They are very vocal, the call being a trill that can continue for long periods. Crested Barbets are aggressive towards other birds in their territory and chase off both nest competitors such as other Barbets and other birds such as doves and thrushes.

Quick Facts

Name: Trachyphonus vaillantii
Habitat: Forests, savannah, sub-urban gardens, woodland thickets and watercourses.
Distribution: Common all over South Africa.
Diet: Insects, other birds eggs and fruits.

Socialisation: Crested Barbets are usually found singly or in pairs. They hop around on the ground looking for food. They do not fly easily and then only for short distances. Crested Barbets roost in holes in trees. They are very vocal, the call being a trill that can continue for long periods. Crested Barbets are aggressive towards other birds in their territory and chase off both nest competitors such as other Barbets and other birds such as doves and thrushes.

Reproduction: Crested Barbets nest in a hole in a tree or a Sisal log in a garden. They are monogamous and territorial during breeding. Eggs are laid between September to December. 1 to 5 eggs are laid at daily intervals. Incubation lasts between 13 to 17 days, beginning with the second or third egg and mainly by the female. The young hatch naked and blind. They are fed insects by both parents.