Unmistakable, adorned in vibrant hues of green, orange, and yellow, the Red-Headed Barbet catches the eye effortlessly with its standout feature: a brilliant red head that sets it apart from its counterparts.
Scientifically known as Eubucco bourcierii, this bird belongs to the Capitonidae family, specifically the New World barbets.
Male Red-Headed Barbets exhibit a captivating red head, complemented by an orange to yellow breast and a pristine white belly. A distinctive white collar separates the head from the olive green back. Their weight ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 oz.
In contrast, the females of this species display crown and nape colors ranging from dull orange to various shades of green. Their back is green, while the throat showcases a grey-yellow hue with a yellow-to-orange band below it.
These South American avian wonders inhabit regions such as Costa Rica, Panama, the western slopes of the Andes in Colombia, the western slope of the Andes in Ecuador, and the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru.
Red-Headed Barbets prefer the enchanting realms of mountain evergreen forests, forest borders, and adjacent areas of secondary growth. Typically, they are found at altitudes ranging from 400 to 2,400 meters.
When it comes to their diet, Red-Headed Barbets exhibit a versatile palate, consuming a variety of insects and arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, earwigs, flies, and even scorpions. However, they also relish certain fruits and berries.
Breeding season for these birds occurs from March to June. The female Red-Headed Barbet lays 2-5 white, unmarked eggs in a cavity within a tree or a fence post. Incubation lasts for 15 days, shared by both parents, although the female takes charge of incubation during nighttime. The chicks are nourished with insects by their parents and fledge 31-42 days after hatching.
