Western yellow-billed barbet

The western yellow-billed barbet is a species of bird in the African barbet family Lybiidae that is found from Sierra Leone to southwest Nigeria in West Africa. The species was formerly considered to be conspecific with the eastern yellow-billed barbet.

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Distribution

Region

West Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs from Sierra Leone and Liberia east through Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to southwestern Nigeria, mainly within the Upper Guinea rainforest zone. It favors lowland and foothill evergreen forests, forest edges, and secondary woodland. The species also uses cocoa and coffee plantations with remnant shade trees. Regularly found in the mid to upper canopy, it can be inconspicuous despite its loud voice.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size20–24 cm

Wing Span30–35 cm

Male Weight0.085 kg

Female Weight0.08 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Western yellow-billed barbets are canopy-dwelling fruit specialists that play an important role in seed dispersal across West African forests. They give loud, repetitive duets, with mates calling back and forth from hidden perches. This species was formerly lumped with the eastern yellow-billed barbet but is now treated as distinct based on range and vocal differences.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive in canopy, calm but wary

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with undulating hops between trees

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups. Pairs maintain territories and communicate with antiphonal duets. Nests are cavities excavated in soft or decaying wood; both sexes participate in excavation and incubation.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of loud, hollow, repetitive notes often delivered as a duet, with the mate answering in precise rhythm. Calls carry far through the forest and can include churring or bubbling notes between phrases.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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