Red-fronted Tinkerbirds, Pogoniulus pusillus - formerly known as Red-fronted Tinker Barbets
Barbets
The Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus formerly known as Red-fronted Tinker Barbet is a small African barbet.
Barbets are near passerine birds bristles around the base of the bill.
It is sometimes considered conspecific (of, or belonging to, the same species) with its northern counterpart, the Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus.
Description
The Red-fronted Tinkerbird is 9-10.5 cm in length. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head, and short tail. The adult has black upperparts heavlly streaked with yellow and white, and a golden wing patch. Its head has a strong black and white pattern, with a red forecrown spot. Its underparts and rump are lemon yellow. Sexes are similar in appearance, but young birds lack the red forehead.
This species is distinguished from Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird by the colour of the forehead spot, the golden wing patch, and its overall darker appearance.
It is often confused with the Red-fronted Barbet but it is significantly smaller than that species, has a black moustache and a less robust bill, and lacks a broad yellow superciliary stripe.
Distribution / Range
They have a world-wide tropical distribution.
The Red-fronted Tinkerbird is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in eastern South Africa, with a separate population from southern Sudan and Ethiopia south to central and eastern Tanzania.
The Red-fronted Tinkerbird is associated with juniper forest and scrub.
Breeding / Nesting
It nests in a tree hole, and lays two or three eggs. It eats berries and fruit, particularly mistletoe, but also takes insects as it forages in deep cover.
Calls / Vocalization
At about 100 repetitions per minute, the Red-fronted Tinkerbird's call is a fast tink-tink-tink-tink, very similar to that of Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. Many barbets perch prominently, but, unlike their larger relatives, the smaller tinkerbirds sing from cover and are more frequently heard than seen.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
