Pogoniulus scolopaceus
The Speckled Tinkerbird, *Pogoniulus scolopaceus*, is a small, vibrant African barbet, typically measuring 11-12 cm in length and weighing 12-25 grams. Its plumage is predominantly olive-green, adorned with distinctive fine pale spotting across its crown and back, giving it its common name. The underparts are yellowish, often with faint streaking, and it possesses a sturdy, conical bill characteristic of barbets. Key identification marks include this speckled pattern, a pale supercilium, and ...
This species primarily inhabits lowland and mid-elevation tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, secondary growth, and overgrown plantations. It can be found from sea level up to around 2000 meters in some montane regions.
Their diet primarily consists of small fruits, particularly figs and mistletoe berries, supplemented by a variety of insects such as ants, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. They forage by gleaning and hovering within the forest canopy.
Speckled Tinkerbirds are diurnal, typically observed singly or in pairs, foraging actively in the mid-canopy to sub-canopy layers of the forest. They employ a mix of foraging strategies, gleaning insects from foliage and bark, hovering to pluck fruit, and occasionally making short aerial sallies ...
The Speckled Tinkerbird boasts a wide distribution across West and Central Africa, extending from Sierra Leone eastward through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Its range continues into Central Africa, encompassing Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Co...
Least Concern
- The common name "Tinkerbird" is an onomatopoeia derived from its distinctive, metallic call, which sounds like a tiny hammer striking an anvil. - Despite their small size, Speckled Tinkerbirds are adept excavators, carving out their own nesting cavities in dead wood. - They play an important ec...