25 March, 2012:Red-and-Yellow Barbet (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus)

Photo@Jurg Hosang

Red-and-Yellow Barbet like so all the other species of Barbet that I have come across are creatures of distinctive beauty. Barbet are closely related to tinkerbirds, woodpecckers,   honeyguides  and wrynecks. They are usually found alone or pairs.

This Barbet has a strong red billed, which is hooked and the face is generally red with bright white eared patches. The nominate race which is generally common is boldly white spotted above, with a black and white  speckled band across the yellow breast, yellow-white tail spots, and boldly barred outer tail feathers; rump yellow, upper tail coverts red and yellow; and under tail coverts red and yellow tips.

Very social species and always prefer hanging around termite mounds where they both derive their food stuff and build their nest is circular holes.

Locally common and widespread in dry bush,  savanna  and woodland scrub of Kerio Valley, Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria , Meru national park, Olorgesaillie and Magadi road.