The bristle-nosed barbet is a bird species in the family Lybiidae. It used to be placed in the family Bucconidae (puffbirds), which has been split up; alternatively, it may be included in a vastly expanded Ramphastidae (toucans).
Region
West Africa
Typical Environment
Primarily inhabits lowland rainforest, forest edges, riverine forest, and mature secondary growth within the Upper Guinea forest block and adjacent areas. It frequents fruiting trees in clearings and along forest margins and can occur in agroforestry landscapes such as cocoa and mixed plantations when canopy cover persists. Birds typically forage from the mid- to upper canopy but will descend to lower levels at productive fruiting shrubs. They avoid open savanna away from gallery forest.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This chunky African barbet has distinctive bristles around the base of its stout bill, which help it manipulate sticky fruits and probe for prey. It is a social species, often seen in small, noisy groups in forest edges and secondary woodland. Like many barbets, it nests in cavities it excavates in rotting wood or sometimes in arboreal termitaria. Its taxonomy has been debated, previously aligned with puffbirds or an expanded toucan family before being settled within Lybiidae.
2 Bristle-nosed Barbets, one flying
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Often travels and forages in small, vocal groups and may gather at fruiting trees with other frugivores. Pairs are monogamous and nest in cavities excavated in decayed trunks or occasionally in arboreal termitaria. Both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and chick provisioning. Communal roosting is reported in some areas.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes loud, churring trills and repeated bubbling or rattling notes delivered in a steady rhythm. Calls are often given antiphonally by pairs or chorused by small groups, carrying well through the forest edge.
