Psilopogon eximius
The Bornean Barbet (Psilopogon eximius) is a strikingly vibrant avian jewel, measuring approximately 17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 in) in length and weighing between 37-53 g (1.3-1.9 oz). Its plumage is a kaleidoscope of colors, featuring a brilliant crimson forehead, crown, and nape, which starkly contrasts with a black eye-stripe and a broad, pale blue band extending from the lore to behind the eye. The chin and throat are also pale blue, elegantly framed by distinct black malar stripes, while its robu...
This barbet primarily inhabits submontane and montane forests, showing a strong preference for pristine primary and mature secondary growth at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 meters (2,300 to 6,600 feet).
The Bornean Barbet's diet is predominantly frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of forest fruits, particularly figs, supplemented by insects such as ants, beetles, and termites, which it acquires through gleaning and sallying within the forest canopy.
The Bornean Barbet is a diurnal species, active throughout the day with foraging and vocalizations dominating its daily routine. It primarily forages solitarily or in pairs high in the forest canopy, meticulously gleaning fruits and insects from branches and foliage. Territorial behavior is prono...
The Bornean Barbet is an island endemic, exclusively found on the biodiversity-rich island of Borneo, where its distribution spans parts of Malaysia (specifically Sarawak and Sabah), Brunei, and Indonesia (Kalimantan). Its presence is primarily concentrated in the mountainous and hilly regions, f...
Least Concern
- The Bornean Barbet is one of over 30 species in the genus Psilopogon, all renowned for their incredibly vibrant plumages and distinct, often repetitive, vocalizations. - Despite its striking head coloration, its predominantly emerald-green body provides exceptional camouflage, allowing it to bl...