The white-eared barbet is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae . It is found in Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from coastal Kenya and Tanzania south through Mozambique to eastern South Africa, and inland to Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini. It favors lowland and foothill evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, riverine woodland, coastal thickets, and well-treed plantations. Frequently uses forest edges and secondary growth where fruiting trees are abundant. It can also be found in suburban gardens with large fig or other fruiting trees. Typically remains in the canopy but will descend to mid-levels at fruiting trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This barbet is a fig specialist and a key seed disperser in East and Southern African forests. It often calls in rhythmic duets from the canopy, making it easier to detect than to see. Like other barbets, it excavates its own nesting cavity in dead wood. It adapts well to gardens with fruiting trees and forest edges.
Family group
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and often joins loose aggregations at fruiting trees. Territorial pairs excavate nest cavities in dead branches or soft trunks, with both sexes participating. They are primarily canopy-dwellers but move widely to track fruit availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, rhythmic series of hollow tok or pok notes delivered in long, steady sequences. Often performed as antiphonal duets between pair members, carrying far through the forest canopy. Calls may include harsher churring notes near the nest.
Plumage
Dark brown to olive-brown upperparts with paler spotting; underparts heavily streaked or mottled white and brown. Head dark with a bold, clean white ear patch and pale moustachial area. Feathers are dense and slightly bristly around the bill, typical of barbets.
Diet
Feeds mainly on figs and other soft fruits, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating seeds, thus aiding forest regeneration. Also takes insects and other small arthropods, especially when feeding young. Occasionally consumes nectar or sap and may glean invertebrates from foliage and bark. Diet tracks seasonal fruiting patterns, leading to local movements within home ranges.
Preferred Environment
Forages high in the canopy of fruiting forest trees and woodland edges. Regularly visits riverine corridors and forest patches and readily uses well-treed gardens and plantations with figs. Often remains near reliable fruit sources for extended periods.
