The red-throated barbet is a species of bird in the family Megalaimidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Sundaland
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Malay Peninsula (southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore) and on Sumatra and Borneo (including Brunei, Malaysian Borneo, and Indonesian Kalimantan). It favors primary and well-developed secondary lowland evergreen forest, peat-swamp forest, and forest edges. Often found in fruiting trees in the midstory to canopy, and may visit orchards or gardens near forest. Local presence depends on availability of mature trees for nesting and fruiting species for food.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This brightly colored barbet plays an important role as a seed disperser by swallowing fruits whole and passing viable seeds. Pairs excavate their own nest cavities in soft or decaying wood, and both sexes share incubation duties. Its far-carrying, repetitive calls make it easier to detect in dense lowland rainforest. Ongoing deforestation in Sundaland is the main threat to this species.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short direct flights with rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead or soft wood and share incubation and chick-rearing. Territorial calls are given from exposed canopy perches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a loud, resonant series of repetitive notes, often rendered as tuk-tuk-tuk or pok-pok-pok, delivered at steady tempo. Calls carry far through dense forest and may continue for long periods, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Mostly bright green with a vividly colored head; the throat and upper breast are rich red, with contrasting blue and yellow patches on the face. The body feathers are dense and slightly glossy, typical of barbets, with bristles at the bill base.
Diet
Primarily consumes figs and other soft fruits, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating seeds, which aids forest regeneration. Also takes berries and drupes from a variety of native trees and lianas. Occasionally supplements its diet with insects and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage or bark.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the midstory to canopy of mature and secondary forests, concentrating on fruiting trees. Will also forage along forest edges and in rural orchards adjacent to forest.
