The black-collared barbet is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae which is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Indigenous names include Rooikophoutkapper in Afrikaans, isiKhulukhulu and isiQonQotho in Zulu, and Isinagogo in Xhosa.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Widespread across southern and parts of eastern and central Africa in savanna, woodland, riverine thickets, and suburban gardens. It favors areas with mature trees that provide fruit and suitable dead limbs for nesting cavities. Common around fruiting figs and other native and cultivated fruit trees. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes provided tree cover remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The black-collared barbet is famous for its loud antiphonal duets, where mated pairs alternate notes so rapidly it sounds like a single bird. It excavates its own nest cavities in dead wood, often returning to the same sites in subsequent years. Primarily a fruit-eater, it plays an important role in seed dispersal around African woodlands and gardens.
Inspecting a tree
A lesser honeyguide nestling, a brood parasite of barbets, waiting to be fed
The rare yellow-headed (or xanthocroic) form perched beside a normal individual.
Temperament
social and vocal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups that maintain territories year-round. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead wood and both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing. They may roost communally outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, ringing duet delivered antiphonally by a pair, often sounding like a single bird calling rapidly. Duets are accompanied by synchronized head-bobbing and wing flicks and can carry a long distance in open woodland.
