The speckled tinkerbird is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, secondary growth, and wooded gardens. It favors fruiting trees and thickets where it can perch and sally for food. Common in mosaics of farmland and woodland as long as fruiting shrubs and trees remain. Often remains high in the canopy but also visits mid‑story edges and clearings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny African barbet in the family Lybiidae, the speckled tinkerbird is often heard before it’s seen. Its name comes from a far‑carrying, metronomic 'tink-tink-tink' that resembles a blacksmith tapping metal. It nests in cavities it excavates in soft or dead wood and plays an important role in dispersing the seeds of figs and other forest fruits.
Nyamebe Bepo Forest Reserve, Ashanti Region, Ghana
Temperament
cryptic but vocal
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes accompanying mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Both sexes excavate a nest cavity in soft or dead wood and share incubation and chick-rearing. Territorial calling bouts are common during the breeding period.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A steady, far‑carrying series of metallic 'tink' notes delivered at a metronomic pace for long periods. Calls can seem ventriloquial, making the bird hard to locate in dense foliage.
Plumage
Compact barbet with olive-brown upperparts and pale underparts heavily speckled and streaked dark. Crown and head show fine whitish spotting, giving a 'speckled' appearance. Wings and tail are dusky with pale edging; rump may show a faint yellowish wash.
Diet
Primarily small fruits and berries, especially figs and other soft forest fruits. Also takes mistletoe berries and occasionally seeds. Supplements its diet with small arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark.
Preferred Environment
Feeds from perches in the mid‑story to canopy, making short sallies to pluck fruits. Frequently visits fruiting trees along forest edges, secondary growth, and gardens.
