Orange-fronted barbet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orange-fronted barbet |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Capitonidae |
| Genus: | Capito |
| Species: |
C. squamatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Capito squamatus Salvin, 1876
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The orange-fronted barbet (Capito squamatus) is a colorful bird that lives in the forests of Ecuador and Colombia. It gets its name from the bright orange patch on its forehead. This bird is part of the barbet family, known for their strong, thick beaks.
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About the Orange-Fronted Barbet
The orange-fronted barbet is a unique species of bird. It does not have different types or subspecies within its group. It is very closely related to another bird called the spot-crowned barbet. You can think of them as "sister species" because they share a common ancestor.
What Does It Look Like?
This barbet is about 16 to 18 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. That's about the size of a small robin. It weighs around 56 to 64 grams (2 to 2.2 ounces).
The male orange-fronted barbet has a white top of its head. Its forehead, or "front," is a bright orange to red color. The rest of its head, except for its chin, is black. Its back and upper body are also black. When its wings are folded, you can see some white feathers. Its belly and chest are yellowish-white, sometimes with a hint of orange. Its sides often have light black spots, and the area under its tail is black.
The female looks a bit different. Her forehead is yellow-orange. The rest of her head, throat, and chest are black. Her black back has fine white marks on the feathers that cover her wings.
Where Does It Live?
The orange-fronted barbet lives in southwestern Ecuador, starting from the El Oro Province. Its home range goes north into the Nariño Department in the very southwestern part of Colombia.
These birds like wet lowland areas and hills. They live in both old, untouched forests and newer forests that have grown back. You can also find them at the edges of forests, and even in more open places like farms, fruit orchards, and grassy areas with trees. They usually live from sea level up to about 800 meters (2,600 feet) high. In some areas, they can be found as high as 1,500 meters (4,900 feet).
Behavior
Feeding Habits
Orange-fronted barbets usually look for food in pairs. They search for food at all levels of the trees and plants. Sometimes, they even join groups of different bird species that are foraging together. Their main diet includes fruits and berries. They also eat insects and spiders.
Reproduction and Nesting
Orange-fronted barbets typically build their nests between July and September. They might also nest earlier in the year. Like all barbets found in the Americas, they dig a hole in a tree to make their nest. This species seems to make its nest hole several meters above the ground. We don't have much other information about their breeding habits.
Vocalizations
The song of the orange-fronted barbet is a "low-pitched, very fast, soft, purring trill." You can hear an example of its song here: [1]. Its call is a noisy sound, like "tyik" or "trrik." You can listen to its call here: [2].
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has evaluated the orange-fronted barbet. They have listed it as a species of "Least Concern." This means that while its population is decreasing, it is not currently considered to be in danger of extinction. The estimated number of these birds is between 37,000 and 63,000, and they live across a very large area.
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