This bird sports a unique look with its silvery cheeks, white forehead, and black chinstrap, complemented by a fiery tuft above its beak. Get to know the Fire-tufted Barbet.
The fire-tufted barbet belongs to the Megalaimidae family and is a bird species found in Asia. These birds are of moderate size, measuring about 28 cm. The adult birds have an overall green appearance with a brownish-maroon nape, grey lores, and a white band on the forehead. Their throat is green with a bright yellow band followed by a black band that looks like a necklace separating the belly. Tufts of feathers at the base of the beak are present, and males have fiery orange upper tufts. The bill is fawn-colored with a black vertical band.
Male and female birds have a similar appearance, with the exception of the crimson color found on male crows. The female crows have a sooty color in place of the crimson. As for the young birds, they appear less vibrant or duller in comparison to adult crows.
These feathered creatures hail from the regions of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
You can often spot these birds flying solo or with a partner or a small group of family members. They tend to stay up in the treetops and mid-levels, seeking out dense foliage in the lush lowland and mountain forests of the tropics.
The fire-tufted barbet relies mainly on fruits, specifically figs, as its source of nutrition. Nevertheless, it also indulges in consuming some insects.
In general, these creatures tend to mate and reproduce between the months of February and April. The mother and father both work together to dig a nest inside a deceased tree or branch. Their usual clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs and these eggs are kept warm for a period of 13 to 15 days. Once hatched, the chicks are cared for by both parents until they reach around 40 days old and are able to fly. Even after that point, the parents continue to provide food for their offspring for approximately one more week.
Since 2004, the IUCN Red List has categorized this particular species as having the least concern. The name of this species was suggested by Salomon Müller in 1836 when he wrote about a barbet from Sumatra.
Check out these amazing birds in the video provided below: