Vieillot's Barbet Lybius vieilloti Scientific name definitions

c. 16 cm; 31–43 g. Distinctive red, brown and yellow barbet with strong bill and short-tailed , dumpy appearance. Both sexes of nominate race with red head, blackish back with pale spots, yellow rump and uppertail-coverts; yellow with red spots below; notched bill blackish. Immature duller and much less red, browns greyer, bill paler without notch. Race buchanani paler than nominate; <em>rubescens</em> averages darker above, with red spots below larger, but very variable.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Eats fruits, such as those of Ziziphus mauritiana, gourds (Coccinea grandis), Butyrospermum, mistletoe (Loranthus) berries, and figs; also insects, including termites, ants and caterpillars. Feeds in groups, from ground to canopy , in foliage and along bark of branches.

Song  by 1 or 2 of group an “ope-ope-” at intervals of c. 1·4 seconds, others of group chatter; noisy choruses like those of some races of L. leucocephalus; also snarling alarm note, soft “cwa” call and interactive “pew” call.