Psilopogon rafflesii
The Red-crowned Barbet (Psilopogon rafflesii) is a strikingly colorful avian jewel of Southeast Asian rainforests, belonging to the family Megalaimidae, the Old World barbets. Measuring approximately 25-27 cm (10 inches) in length and possessing a stocky build, its vibrant plumage is a key identifier. Its body is primarily brilliant green, dramatically contrasted by a scarlet crown and nape, a distinct black band extending through the eye, a sky-blue moustachial stripe, and a patch of bright ...
This species primarily inhabits lowland primary and well-developed secondary tropical rainforests, occasionally venturing into forest edges or mature plantations. It is typically found at elevations below 700 meters, though records extend up to 1200 meters.
The diet of the Red-crowned Barbet consists predominantly of fruits, especially figs, supplemented with various insects such as beetles, ants, and termites. They primarily forage by gleaning from foliage and branches, and by sallying for fruits.
The Red-crowned Barbet is a diurnal species, active throughout the day, often foraging alone or in pairs and roosting in tree cavities at night. Its foraging strategy involves sitting quietly amidst foliage, then making swift sallies to pluck fruits or glean insects from leaves and branches; it o...
The Red-crowned Barbet is a resident, non-migratory species with a geographically restricted distribution across Southeast Asia. Its range encompasses the Malay Peninsula, including southern Myanmar and Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore. Further east, it is found throughout the islands...
Near Threatened
- The Red-crowned Barbet's deep, monotonous 'took-took-took' call is one of the classic and most evocative sounds of the lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia. - Like woodpeckers, they are expert excavators, using their stout bills to carve out their own nest cavities in dead or rotting tree trun...