Lybius rubrifacies
The Red-faced Barbet (*Lybius rubrifacies*) is a striking, medium-sized member of the African Barbet family, Lybiidae, closely related to woodpeckers within the order Piciformes. Measuring approximately 17-19 cm (6.7-7.5 in) in length and weighing around 40-60g, its most distinctive feature is its brilliant crimson face, which sharply contrasts with its otherwise predominantly black plumage. Key field marks include a black crown, nape, mantle, and wings, complemented by bright yellow or white...
Found in forest edges, secondary growth, clearings, wooded savannas, and coffee plantations, typically at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits, particularly figs; also supplements its diet with insects obtained by gleaning from foliage or hawking in flight.
Red-faced Barbets are diurnal birds, usually active from dawn to dusk, and typically roost within tree cavities. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning fruits, especially figs, from the canopy and mid-story, but they also hawk for insects. They are territorial and monogamous, with pa...
The Red-faced Barbet has a highly restricted and fragmented distribution within the Albertine Rift of East Africa, making it a resident species without distinct breeding or wintering ranges. It is primarily found in scattered populations across western Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and extreme northwe...
Near Threatened
- The 'rubrifacies' in its scientific name directly translates to 'red-faced', perfectly describing its most striking feature. - Despite their robust appearance, Red-faced Barbets are crucial seed dispersers, helping to regenerate the forests they inhabit by consuming fruits and excreting seeds. ...