Fire-tufted barbet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fire-tufted barbet |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Psilopogon
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| Species: |
pyrolophus
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The fire-tufted barbet (scientific name: Psilopogon pyrolophus) is a colorful bird. It belongs to the Asian barbet family called Megalaimidae. You can find this bird in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. It lives in warm, wet forests, both in lowlands and on mountains. Since 2004, experts have listed it as a species of Least Concern. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. A scientist named Salomon Müller first described this bird in 1836.
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What Does the Fire-Tufted Barbet Look Like?
The fire-tufted barbet is mostly green. It has a brownish-red color on the back of its neck. Its face near the eyes is grey, and it has a white stripe on its forehead. Its throat is green, followed by a bright yellow band. Below the yellow band is a black band, which looks like a necklace.
Its beak is light brown with a black stripe going up and down. This bird has special feather tufts at the base of its beak. In male birds, these upper tufts are a bright, fiery orange color. An adult fire-tufted barbet is about 28 centimeters (11 inches) long.
Where Do Fire-Tufted Barbets Live?
The fire-tufted barbet lives in broad-leaved evergreen mountain forests. These forests are found on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra. They usually live at heights between 1,070 and 2,010 meters (about 3,500 to 6,600 feet) above sea level.
Some fire-tufted barbets were seen on Mount Gede in West Java between 2003 and 2005. Scientists believe these birds might have escaped from bird cages in that area.
How Do Fire-Tufted Barbets Behave?
The fire-tufted barbet is a resident bird, meaning it does not migrate. It stays in the same area all year round. These birds eat figs and other fruits. They also enjoy eating arthropods and insects. The sound it makes is very similar to the loud buzzing call of cicadas.
What Dangers Do Fire-Tufted Barbets Face?
The main danger to the fire-tufted barbet is people illegally catching them. They are often caught to be sold as pets.
