The brown barbet is a species of bird in the family Megalaimidae. It is found in Borneo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss, and has lost approximately half of its connected habitat since 1973.
Region
Borneo
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout lowland and foothill forests on the island of Borneo, including Malaysian Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesian Kalimantan. It is most frequent in primary and mature secondary evergreen forests with a well-developed midstory and canopy. The species also uses peat-swamp and riverine forest where fruiting trees are abundant. It generally avoids heavily urbanized areas, though it may persist in selectively logged tracts if large fruiting trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The brown barbet is a Bornean endemic that favors intact lowland rainforest and is unusually plain-colored for a barbet. It excavates nest cavities in decaying wood, with both sexes sharing the work and parental duties. Ongoing deforestation across Borneo continues to fragment its habitat and depress local populations.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short undulating flights between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. It nests in cavities that it excavates in soft or decaying wood, with both sexes participating. Pairs are likely monogamous and maintain small territories around nesting and feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of rolling, bubbling notes delivered at a steady pace. Pairs may duet, with phrases repeated from a concealed perch high in the mid-canopy.
