The sooty barbet is a species of bird in the family Megalaimidae. It is found in Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra and formerly Singapore where it is extirpated. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs in southern Myanmar, western and southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra (Indonesia), with historical records from Singapore where it is now extirpated. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, forest edges, riverine forest, and mature secondary growth. The species favors the mid- to upper canopy and is frequently encountered at fruiting trees. It can persist in selectively logged forest and in mixed agroforestry landscapes if large fruiting trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The sooty barbet is an unobtrusive canopy frugivore that often visits fruiting figs and other trees, sometimes alongside bulbuls and other barbets. Unlike many of its brightly colored relatives, it is uniformly dusky, which helps it blend into shaded lowland forest. It nests in tree cavities that the pair excavates themselves. The species has been extirpated from Singapore but remains locally common in parts of Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, undulating flights between canopy trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, especially at fruiting trees. Pairs excavate nest cavities in dead or soft wood and share incubation and chick rearing. May join mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of hollow, repeated notes and soft churring or rattling trills that carry through the forest canopy. Calls are rhythmic and monotonous, often given from high perches.
Plumage
Overall sooty-brown to olive-brown with slightly paler, buff-tinged underparts; plain appearance with minimal streaking or pattern. Feathers are dense and plush, giving a smooth, uniform look.
Diet
Primarily consumes figs and other soft fruits, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating seeds, aiding forest regeneration. Also takes berries and drupes from a variety of native trees. Occasionally supplements its diet with insects and other small arthropods gleaned from foliage or taken in short sallies.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid- to upper canopy at fruiting trees, especially strangler figs. Also forages along forest edges, river margins, and in older secondary woodland and mixed agroforests.
