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.
