Asian Barbets -Megalaimidae

 

Barbets are found in the tropics around the world. Barbets as in the Old Word are here treated as two separate families, they are the African Barbets [Lybiidae] and Asian Barbets [Megalaimidae]. The Asian barbets are chunky, mostly small to mid-sized, often colorful and vocal birds, especially the oriental species like ours.  In total, there are 75 species of tropical Barbets, constituting the family Capitonidae (order Piciformes). From the world wide total, in the South East Asia there are only 16 species of Barbets [Megalaimidae] as we know them .

In Malaysia these are the Barbet that we have.

PICIFORMES: Capitonidae
Brown Barbet Calorhamphus fuliginosus
Fire-tufted Barbet Psilopogon pyrolophus
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
Gold-whiskered Barbet Megalaima chrysopogon
Red-crowned Barbet Megalaima rafflesii
Red-throated Barbet Megalaima mystacophanos
Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii
Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti
Yellow-crowned Barbet Megalaima henricii
Blue-eared Barbet Megalaima australis
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala

One notable diagnostic marking of Barbets and perhaps how the name came about - the bristles at the bases of their stout, sharp bills. Most birds have fairly large heads, short-tailed and short legs birds. Most Barbets are of fair size and some are rather large, measuring 9–30 cm (3.5–12 inches) long. The smallest being the Coppersmith Barbet is double the  size of a common Babbler. They are always green in color with the exception on one, the Brown Barbet. The prominent features of Barbet is that the green body is complimented with a multi-colored head, cheek and throat. Both sexes look identical. Barbets are termed as Near passerine, as they do perch like one [sparrow used a benchmark] but most time maintaining an upright posture. Next attribute, their calls also reminding us of Tinker bird, whose calls are continuously and repetitive. The Barbets' calls - loud, consisting of a few syllables and repeated over and over again for long period of time. It's not surprising that when you enter the forest and hearing a few species calling simultaneously.

Most of the 70 or so species of Barbets excavate their own nesting cavities. Here again, watch - these tree stumps chosen as nesting sites are usually well-rotted wood. Yes, barbet has very thick bills, that early European associate this bird with the Woodpeckers. They display action like that of Woodpeckers, from a distance, such action easily mar our efforts to ID them, and first impression that it could be a Woody. Among the birds seen in Malaysia, the Gold-whiskered Barbets and Coppersmith were the most often seen behaving like Woodpeckers.

Barbets are mainly frugivorous [fruit-eater]. Very so often in the fields, in places where Barbets are likely to be spotted, we would be on a look-out for tree bearing Berry-like "Barbets fruits". We have associated them with fruits. But, typical of birds, they do consume some insects. I have seen that practice, gleaning insects from branches and twigs.  Most commonly seen would be the Blue-eared Barbet. Most kind of insects, Barbet would consume these opportunistically over and above the fruits they normally eat.

The Barbet, as a species, is one type of bird that brings me a lot of joy. Their calls are loud, their presence is obvious and brings so much hope that it's presence signify - rich bird life in the area. It is nice hearing one, it would even be better if we have caught a glimpse of one. In this table, with the list of names mentioned, they are near a comprehensive list on Barbets seen in Malaysia  I have listed those Barbets that I do have enough pictures of.

 

1. Black-browed Barbet  Megalaima oorti

 

This Barbet of average size is 21-23 cm big. It has blue faces and  golden-throated bordered blue fringes and a red dot among the blue. Most notable is the medium size black brow or supercilium. When it comes to making an ID, first go for the brow and then reconfirm with the blue faces and yellow throat.

This is a sub-montane bird and this point itself, is a big clue. Normally found in middle attitude of 600m to 1,250 m. Also note that bird is a solitary feeder though many a times in fruiting season, I have seen a group of them together. In normal times, they prefer the upper storey which makes them frequently heard but hardly seen. In another extreme, they do visit domesticated garden of private homes. It is during these times when they descend onto low level branches that bumped into them, hence allowing me a good ID. So very often their presence in the area of birding was denoted by the unmistakable repetitive calls. This is a very common bird in the hill stations, Genting, Awana, Cameron and Maxwell. I cannot stress more about this welcoming fact about their more than willing presence - their calls are so assuring to birders that the place has active bird life.

 

Black-browed Barbet  # 1

Black-browed Barbet   # 2

Black-browed Barbet # 3

Black-browed Barbet  # 4

Black-browed Barbet   # 5

Black-browed Barbet   # 6

Black-browed Barbet   # 7

Black-browed Barbet  # 8

Black-browed Barbet   # 9

Black-browed Barbet   # 10

Black-browed Barbet   # 11

Black-browed Barbet   # 12

Black-browed Barbet   # 13

Black-browed Barbet    # 14

Black-browed Barbet   # 15

Black-browed Barbet   # 16

Black-browed Barbet    # 17

Black-browed Barbet   # 18

Black-browed Barbet   # 19

Black-browed Barbet    # 20

Black-browed Barbet   # 21

Black-browed Barbet   # 22

Black-browed Barbet    # 23

Black-browed Barbet   # 24

Black-browed Barbet    # 25

2. Blue-eared Barbet  Megalaima australis duvaucelli

Keeping company with the Coppersmith Barbet when it comes to similar size, the Blue-eared is another small bird of the family at 17 cm. Unlike the Coppersmith, this bird prefer large trees in dense forest. Another lowland forest bird found mainly in the Indian Sub-continent & China. Though not encountered frequently, it is a fairly common bird and we have have our own sub species. Here is Malaysia, it prefers higher altitude like The Gap and Bukit Tinggi. They too, were seen in lowland forest like those of Rengit.

As usual, typical of Barbets, their calls are easily heard. Now a forest bird with its small size among thick foliages, near impossible to spot until and unless it changes its perched. Good for the bird of course.

Several occasions, I have seen this species feeding of the same tree in groups of 10's or even hundreds. The picture on this page were taken during the bird's presence on low Ficus trees. The juvenile shot at Bukit Tinggi and the adult besides a chalet in the compound of Taman Negara, of Kuala Tahan. All times, the birds feeding or resting appeared "tame" and made no attempts to hurry or hide themselves.

 

Blue-eared [female]  # 1

Blue-eared [female]    # 2

Blue-eared [female]  # 3

Blue-eared [female]   # 4

Blue-eared [female]   # 5

Blue-eared [female]   # 6

Blue-eared [female]   # 7

Blue-eared [female]    # 8

Blue-eared [female]  # 9

Blue-eared [female]  #10

Blue-eared [female]   # 11

Blue-eared Barbet  # 12

Blue-eared Barbet  # 13

Blue-eared Barbet   # 14

Blue-eared Barbet # 15

Blue-eared Barbet  # 16

Blue-eared Barbet  # 17

Blue-eared Barbet  # 18

Blue-eared Barbet  # 19

Blue-eared Barbet   # 20

Blue-eared Barbet # 21

Blue-eared Barbet  # 22

Blue-eared Barbet  # 23

Blue-eared Barbet  # 24

Blue-eared Barbet  # 25

3. Blue-throated Barbet  Megalaima asiatica

The first time, when I saw this species in the shadow, my intitial deduction  that it must be another starling crawling along the branches foraging ripe fruits. In deep forest of Rengit, not a normal territory for Starlings. It is a larger bird, 23 cm when compared with the Starlings and a lone bird mixed with other species of birds. After that first encounter and confirming its presence in Malaysia, I was more alert to stretch the possibility of making a instant positive ID on this Blue-throated in the field. That notion also encourage to devote more attention and followed it movements as it went about its routine.

As for deliberately seeking them out, I wish I know how as I still have no clue  According to Robson, this is common bird in Burma, Thailand & Laos. A sub-montane bird. The pictures of the birds were taken in Rengit, a lowland forest and then in Bukit Tinggi. More or less a cool sub-montane climate in the borderline of 600 m high hills.

In Bukit Tinggi, the bird was among a crowd of 4 species of Barbets.

 

Blue-throated Barbet  # 1

Blue-throated Barbet   # 2

Blue-throated Barbet # 3

Blue-throated Barbet  # 4

Blue-throated Barbet  # 5

Blue-throated Barbet  # 6

Blue-throated Barbet  # 7

Blue-throated Barbet  # 8

Blue-throated Barbet  # 9

 

4. Brown Barbet  Calorhamphus fuliginosus

I would say that this is a medium size bird of 20 cm. First impression - a rounded bird with light colored breast, thick billed and pinkish feet. Upper part or the bird itself is warm brown. Not many birds having short tail and of this size.

Again, most times I have seen them in Ampang [lowlands] or in Awana [Sub-montane] the bird is solitary. But they do get together and became a gregarious bunch. Yes, the bird is found in forest edges below 1,000 m high. Most time, when they are not feeding, I saw them they were in canopy level but actually the bird prefer middle storey.

One more point, they do hang themselves upside down. You will find them when the air is filled with lots of noises, and a cluster of few birds together. Or, a quiet loner that is not driven away by human presence. May look like a Bulbul but with unusually short tail and pink feet. This too is a very common bird, but it seldom call when it is on its own.

 

Brown Barbet  # 1

Brown Barbet   # 2

Brown Barbet # 3

Brown Barbet  # 4

Brown Barbet  # 5

Brown Barbet  # 6

Brown Barbet  # 7

Brown Barbet # 8

Brown Barbet  # 9

Brown Barbet   # 10

Brown Barbet  # 11

Brown Barbet  # 12

Brown Barbet # 13

Brown Barbet   # 14

Brown Barbet   # 15

Brown Barbet # 16

Brown Barbet   # 17

Brown Barbet  # 18

Brown Barbet # 19

Brown Barbet   # 20

Brown Barbet  # 21

Brown Barbet # 22

Brown Barbet   # 23

Brown Barbet  # 24

Blue-eared Barbet  # 25

5. Coppersmith Barbet  Megalaima haemacephala

This is one Barbet that is very easy to spot and identified beyond doubts. A Barbet with a few superlatives. The smallest Barbet at 17 cm. Coppersmith barbet is also one bird that is easiest to identify. It has a round shade yellow face and throat. The body, light green upper part and dark green streak on pale yellow under part. Then a black stripe across the eye. Another point as to why it is easy to spot and identify, it chooses tallest naked branches of tree to make its unending calls. Also on electrical wiring. So for ID, locate the source of the call by scanning bare protruding branches, slight rhythmic bows, look at its size and then the eye.

This bird has preferences for Open park and makes its nest on the under side of dead bough. Even if that bough is near people homes. More often than not such bough are in low level. Coppersmith Barbet is by far the most widely distributed Asian Barbet, occurring from India to Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also the only non-forest Barbet in Asia.

This is a mixed lowland bird but can be found on low hills up to 900 m high. It is feeding fruits on low trees and scrubs. So next time when you are in the park, or even in the comfort of your own home, be alert to that continuous, single syllabus yet subtle call from afar. I am lucky enough to have one staying in my garden. It starts its calling from 8.00 am in the morning. This morning call lasting about 20 minutes is the familiar single note. Then a respond, a separate call but this one well spaced in between interval. The bird would go away, some where to engage in other chores and would return around 10.30 am. That is when the regular closely made calls are made for 30 minutes. this ritual is repeated at 4.30 pm in the evening. Its perch remains within that few branches day after day.

Its your neighbor hood Barbet calling. 

 

Coppersmith Barbet  # 1

Coppersmith Barbet  # 2

Coppersmith Barbet # 3

Coppersmith Barbet  # 4

Coppersmith Barbet  # 5

Coppersmith Barbet  # 6

Coppersmith Barbet  # 7

Coppersmith Barbet # 8

Coppersmith Barbet   # 9

Coppersmith Barbet  # 10

Coppersmith Barbet  # 11

Coppersmith Barbet  # 12

Coppersmith Barbet # 13

Coppersmith Barbet   # 14

Coppersmith Barbet   # 15

Coppersmith Barbet  # 16

Coppersmith Barbet   # 17

Coppersmith Barbet  # 18

Coppersmith Barbet  # 19

Coppersmith Barbet   # 20

Coppersmith Barbet  # 21

Coppersmith Barbet  # 22

Coppersmith Barbet   # 23

Coppersmith Barbet  # 24

Coppersmith Barbet  # 25

6. Fire-tufted Barbet  Megalaima haemacephala

Fire-tufted Barbet is member of the club of big Barbets, though not the biggest. It is 28 cm and has an unique bill. Yellowish with vertical bands at the center. The area of the ear down to the throat grey border by a black ring. Most significant is the tuft of reddish spines coming out of the base of the bill [from nostril], with length extending to the center of the bill, the black band.

Though it is a large bird, not easy to spot this green bird among the foliage. Its presence is announced by a series of Cicadas type calls. Again a common call in the resort areas in Frasers Hills.  So helpful to note that the Fire-tufted Barbet is another sub-montane bird. These information zero in to help the process of ID.

Quite common in our hill stations, names of which mentioned earlier and not a shy bird. Meaning they do visited gardens of holiday homes. I have seen them as a solitary bird but have also seen them in pairs, perhaps it was during the breeding season. Then when it comes to feeding in the fruiting season, the whole community of Fire-tufted would descend on that particular tree.

The Fire-tufted Barbet crawl like a Parrot and in doing so, assisted by it's beak the way Parrot do. With its prominent looking beak, makes it appear larger than it actually is. The black bar on the beak, red tuft and the yellow breast band, resembling a work of art, we nick-named the bird "Picasso Bird". Then those other birders who are used to seeing Toucan, says it has vague resemblance  to a Toucan-Barbet. Having seen it yourself, you will agree that this Barbet looks unique and again, another Barbet which is an easy bird to ID

 

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 1

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 2

Fire-tufted Barbet # 3

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 4

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 5

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 6

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 7

Fire-tufted Barbet # 8

Fire-tufted Barbet   # 9

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 10

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 11

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 12

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 13

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 14

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 15

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 16

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 17

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 18

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 19

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 20

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 21

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 22

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 23

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 24

Fire-tufted Barbet  # 25

 

7. Golden-throated Barbet  Megalaima franklinii

Though not a common bird at all, though this is another bird that is easy to ID. Reason - it is a montane Barbet. Found in places above 1,280 m. The condition leaves only 2 summits that normal birder can access i.e. Gunong Ulu Kali and Gunong Brinchang. The latter is also the place I took pictures of this Barbet.

To ID the bird, the top of the head has 2 patches of red, forehead and hind crown. Center -yellow. Half of the throat is yellow and lower half, grey. Face is black with grey streaks.

I did get to see this bird each time when I was there but only momentarily. During those brief exchanges in glances, the bird would be hoping from branches to branches. Other Barbets would stay in one position for a while if there was a need to assess it's safety. In total I had much less encounter with the Golden-throated when compared with other Barbets, hence information about the bird is sketchy. A large bird, after the Javan Cuckooshrike,  in comparison with other birds in the area, but it is in fact a medium size Barbet at 25 cm.

 It prefer low trees or scrubs [most montane trees are not that tall too] staying just below the canopy. Then at times it exposed itself at the bare branches, also the preferred spot where it does its calling. Does not comes into contact with human that frequent. So far all my encounter with the bird were accidental but the bird showed no fright and were not disturbed by my presence. A few months back, the bird was reported seen in Awana, an elevation just at the 1,200 m elevation. Will be getting more pictures for completing this page.

 

Golden-throated Barbet  # 1

Golden-throated Barbet  # 2

Golden-throated Barbet # 3

Golden-throated Barbet  # 4

Golden-throated Barbet  # 5

Golden-throated Barbet # 6

Golden-throated Barbet  # 7

Golden-throated Barbet  # 8

 

 

8. Gold-whiskered Barbet  Megalaima haemacephala

This is the nosiest Barbet and also the largest of all Barbets at 30 cm. big. This is a lowland Barbet that stays in elevation below 200 m. Then other diagnostic features - Black bill and a broad eye stripe, upper part of face, yellow and the throat light grey.

The bird prefer tall trees and stay at the canopy level. One reason as why the bird is heard so often as it prefers forested edges next to populated areas. More so if there are low hills around. It's loud calls made it's presence so significant.

But the bird do come down very low - to middle storey of tall trees or low scrubs in the kampong as well. All times in my encounter, the bird is solitary. Noticed that when it did its calling, it was always from tall trees.

Next point, peculiar to this Barbet is that it uses its heavy bills to hammer into soft woods. Especially old rotten trunks  Such action can be interpreted as seeking food, maggots, or even barrowing for nesting and shelter. Most of my pictures of this Barbet were taken when they were in the Kampong. Among the pictures, they show 2 types of trunk, normal tree and that of a palm.

So when you are moving around in low hills, you cannot miss the calls, as this species of Barbet is fairly common

 

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 1

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 2

Gold-whiskered Barbet # 3

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 4

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 5

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 6

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 7

Gold-whiskered Barbet # 8

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 9

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 10

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 11

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 12

Gold-whiskered Barbet # 13

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 14

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 15

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 16

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 17

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 18

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 19

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 20

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 21

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 22

Gold-whiskered Barbet   # 23

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 24

Gold-whiskered Barbet  # 25

9. Lineated Barbet  Calorhamphus lineata

This is by comparison with other Barbets a large one at 27 cm. Again with a prominent yellow beak. A bird preferring coastal forest, parks and plantations.

Lineated Barbets are most easily spotted. First drawn to their where about by their calls, without fail that spot where the bird perched were in the upper storey, choosing bare branches.

Yes! another Barbet that desist the trend of hiding but choose to be spotted. So far, their presence in the coastal parks ascertained and happy to note that sighting at the Air Itam Dalam & Taiping Lake Garden were consistent. Unfortunately for us these parks are only those in northern Peninsula. Beyond the northern states, the only park with this bird is the Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor. Another coastal Park with tall Raintrees.

 

Lineated Barbet  # 1

Lineated Barbet   # 2

Lineated Barbet  # 3

Lineated Barbet  # 4

Lineated Barbet   # 5

Lineated Barbet  # 6

Lineated Barbet  # 7

Lineated Barbet   # 8

Lineated Barbet  # 9

Lineated Barbet  # 10

Lineated Barbet   # 11

Lineated Barbet  # 12

Lineated Barbet  # 13

Lineated Barbet   # 14

Lineated Barbet  # 15

Lineated Barbet  # 16

Lineated Barbet   # 17

Lineated Barbet  # 18

Lineated Barbet  # 19

Lineated Barbet   # 20

Lineated Barbet  # 21

Lineated Barbet  # 22

Lineated Barbet   # 23

Lineated Barbet  # 24

Lineated Barbet   # 25

 

10. Red-crowned Barbet  Megalaima rafflesii

This is another mid size Barbet of 27 cm that is seldom seen.

Diagnostic is the complete red crown and complete blue throat. Then a thick black stripe across the eyes, below the black stripe a yellow patch with a dash of red. On top of the Black stripe of the eye, a blue supercilium. What colorful bird!

This is a Barbet of the lowland forest. According to Bird's books, it moves around with other Barbets and is a canopy bird. The pictures that I am having is from a batch taken in the Pandan Waterfalls in Kuantan. The birds, a family of 4 were gathering fruits in the middle storey. They were alone and not part of a bird wave. I spent close to 30 minutes watching them and they appeared undisturbed by my presence. Lightings under the dark canopy was not conducive for photography.

Another batch of pictures were among those taken in Bukit Tinggi. Yes, this time, the juvenile came foraging with a group of Barbets from other species. Not consistent was the fact that the forest was over 800 m high.

I wish I will see them more often to build up this write-up.

 

Red-crowned Barbet  # 1

Red-crowned Barbet  # 2

Red-crowned Barbet # 3

Red-crowned Barbet  # 4

Red-crowned Barbet  # 5

Red-crowned Barbet  # 6

Red-crowned Barbet  # 7

Red-crowned Barbet # 8

Red-crowned Barbet   # 9

Red-crowned Barbet  # 10

juvenile Red-crowned # 11

juvenile Red-crowned    # 12

juvenile Red-crowned   # 13

juvenile Red-crowned  # 14

juvenile Red-crowned    # 15

juvenile Red-crowned   # 16

juvenile Red-crowned  # 17

juvenile Red-crowned    # 18

juvenile Red-crowned   # 19

juvenile Red-crowned  # 20

11. Red-throated Barbet  Megalaima mystacophanos

The Red-throated Barbet is very often heard but seldom seen.

This is a  forest bird of low hills staying up to elevation of 750 m. The bird is again a medium size Barbet of 23 cm. Diagnostic are the red throat with a yellow forehead and followed by a red crown. Has a blue supercilium and a blue throat. A really colorful head it has got.

Like all Barbets, this is a canopy bird. Easily heard but not seen. On few occasions I got them in the lower storey, but unlike the Red-crowned Barbet, they took flight immediately. It is not easy to make an ID on the spot in those short moments.

At another time, the bird came in alone consistently for days to a cluster of fruiting trees in Bukit Tinggi. On the contrary, the only Barbet from other species was the Brown Barbet. Both species of Barbet showed no signs of anxiety when feeding with my presence.

Will be checking this point out in future season

 

Red-throated Barbet  # 1

Red-throated Barbet  # 2

Red-throated Barbet # 3

Red-throated Barbet  # 4

Red-throated Barbet  # 5

Red-throated Barbet  # 6

Red-throated Barbet  # 7

Red-throated Barbet # 8

Red-throated Barbet   # 9

Red-throated Barbet  # 10

Red-throated Barbet # 11

Red-throated Barbet   # 12

Red-throated Barbet  # 13

Red-throated Barbet # 14

Red-throated Barbet   # 15

Red-throated Barbet  # 16

Red-throated Barbet # 17

Red-throated Barbet   # 18

Red-throated Barbet  # 19

Red-throated Barbet # 20

Red-throated Barbet   # 21

Red-throated Barbet  # 22

Red-throated Barbet # 23

Red-throated Barbet   # 24

Red-throated Barbet  # 25
 

That's the pictures. The Barbets that I caught on "films". Very happy and urges me on to get more with each new season.

Yes, the calls of the Barbets of the Barbet at the time when the forest is so quiet is most reassuring and welcoming. Cannot deny that fact. But sighting one despite of the incessant loud call and so close in impossible and a common drawback. The birds are perched on firm branches with no movements of leaves. The green color plumage reduces the chance of picking up a speck of odd colors in a sea of green. Hence even with the largest Gold -whiskered Barbet, I had great difficulties to make out their position. In any circumstances, there are exception. The Coppersmith Barbet on the contrary, is one bird that is most easy to locate.

Good way of spotting Barbets is learning and getting information on fruiting trees. Barbets have very fixed habits and pattern. When it comes to feeding, the birds would not mind descending to small trees. Without fear of human presence, they continued their feeding. That's not all, the birds would comes in a flock of few birds and many a times a few species of Barbet were present showing their common preferences for the fruits.

So getting to collect your final tally of Barbets seen, is not that remote, but first - get your home work done.
 
 

A Barbet's page of 2012

 

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