Crested Barbet

About the Crested Barbet

The crested barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) ('trachys'=rough, 'phone'=voice, sound') is a sub-Saharan bird in the Lybiidae family. Its specific name commemorates François Levaillant, a famed French naturalist. Two subspecies are recognized, with T. v. nobilis usually included in the nominate subspecies. The subspecies are distinguished by subtle differences in speckling, body size and color intensity. Individual variation is typical however, besides being paler in drier regions, and richer in colour in wetter areas.

Trachyphonus vaillantii vaillantii — occurs commonly from Central to Southern Africa Trachyphonus vaillantii suahelicus — to the north and east of the nominate, Angola, DRC in Central Africa, to Tanzania and Mozambique in East Africa

With its thick bill and very colourful plumage the crested barbet is unmistakable. This small bird has 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... Wikipedia →