Red-and-yellow barbet

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Red-and-yellow barbets are sexually dimorphic. Males have black on their throats and crowns, while females have pale throats with crowns speckled with black.
This extremely colorful species can be distinguished by their bright red, yellow, black, and white plumage.
They are non-migratory.
At maturity, both sexes can weigh from 40-75 grams (1.5-2.5 ounces) , and their average wingspan is 23 centimeters (9 inches).

Range – Eastern Africa (Central Ethiopia through Kenya, north and central Tanzania, southwest Somalia. Subspecies may extend further than this).
Habitat – grassland, shrubland, lush streamside vegetation

Wild – Invertebrates (especially termites), lizards, eggs, fruits, seeds
- - They are considered opportunistic browsers and hunters.
Zoo – Insects (crickets, mealworms etc.), small vertebrates (pinkie mice), avian salad, fruits, veggies etc.

Wild – Unknown
Zoo – up to 15+ years; Median life expectancy at AZA facilities is around 4.6 years.

Mating season is roughly around March to September.
Clutch size is typically 2-6 eggs. Under favorable conditions, they can raise several broods in a year.
The male is mainly responsible for incubation, which lasts for around two weeks.
The offspring will fledge around 23 days old and be weaned around 50 days old, but still stay with their family group as it is very common to see that within this species.

Although populations are currently stable, their bright and colorful feathers make this species a target for collection for the international pet trade. Their feathers are also used by local peoples to make traditional pieces, but this is not considered a threat to the survival of the species.

Breeding behaviors that pairs will show include singing a duet and digging together in their nest boxes.
In the wild, they will dig through termite mounds and cliffsides to find a safe space to build their nests that is protected from external predators.
This species will cuddle up with their mate or sometimes a whole family within their nests.
Red and yellow barbets will live in groups of up to 10 individuals, which can consist of couples and sub-adult “helpers” of both sexes. Groups may also be structured around a single couple.
This species can be very territorial against other birds or even humans.
Couples can perform a duet together, which then can spread to the rest of the group and turn into a collective song.

International), B. I. (BirdLife. (2016, October 1). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22681889/92924667
Lanneluc, C. et B. (n.d.). Barbican à Tête Rouge - Trachyphonus erythrocephalus - red-and-yellow barbet. Trachyphonus erythrocephalus. https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/red-and-yellow.barbet.html
A new bird species in the living treehouse!. Zoo Atlanta. (2024, April 16). https://zooatlanta.org/a-new-bird-species-in-the-living-treehouse/
Red and Yellow Barbet. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. (2023, December 1). https://cincinnatizoo.org/animals-archive/red-and-yellow-barbet/
Red and Yellow Barbet. London Zoo. (n.d.). https://www.londonzoo.org/whats-here/animals/red-and-yellow-barbet
Species proposal form (2022, September). Zoo Atlanta.

Updated June 2024