Bearded Barbet Pogonornis dubius Scientific name definitions

c. 25.5 cm; 80–108 g. Distinctive, large, red, black and white barbet with big yellow bill . Male glossy black above , with white patch on lower back; black hair-like ­feathers projecting over chin and base of bill  ; red cheeks and underparts with inlinemedia, white flank patch, black rear flanks; yellow skin around eye, yellow iris; bill yellow with two “teeth”, and grooves. Distinguished from the Black-breasted Barbet (Pogonornis rolleti) by yellow facial skin and eye, red on breast , bill with grooves on underside as well as on sides; from the Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus) by larger size, black breastband, bigger and more yellow bill with grooves. Female differs from male in having black spots on white flank patch. Immature like adult but duller, red areas orangey, bill duller and with grooves and “teeth” obscure or lacking.

Closely related to the Black-breasted Barbet (Pogonornis rolleti); both are close also to the Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus). Monotypic.

Western Sahel from northern Senegambia and Guinea-Bissau east to southwestern Chad, south to Guinea, central Ivory Coast, central Ghana, Togo and Benin, central Nigeria, central Cameroon and northwestern Central African Republic.

Occurs around trees in dry areas, including in Acacia, baobabs (Adansonia digitata), figs, fruiting trees in gardens, and in thickets, open woods, abandoned farms, secondary growth, and associated undergrowth, from near sea-level to c. 1,500 m.

Resident and apparently sedentary.

Almost unknown. Groups  move from fruiting tree to fruiting tree, readily clipping fruits with powerful bill; presumably takes insects  as well.

Song not known; has “krawk” or “caw” notes, noisy but less grating than in Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus); also whirring “hurr-hurr-” reported.

May–September in west, also December in Niger and Ghana; February–July or to September farther east in Nigeria and Cameroon. Social, in groups of up to five. Displays undescribed apart from flicking of long tail. Nest excavated at any height in dead stub or dead branch, e.g., of Acacia or palm; territory probably large and irregular, but data lacking. Reported to lay two eggs; no other information on wild-living birds; in captivity, two eggs, incubation at least 16 days, hatching on consecutive days, nestling period c. 40 days.

Not globally threatened. Common in Senegambia, common in Nigeria, and thought to be at least locally common elsewhere, although no data on numbers. Clearing of trees, especially dead ones, and desertification presumably disadvantageous to this species; on other hand, planting of fruit trees and clearing of forest in southern parts of range likely to favor it, although bringing it into greater sympatry and possible competition with adaptable Double-toothed Barbet (Pogonornis bidentatus). Research required on species’ ecology and biology. Occurs in numerous protected areas, e.g., western National Park (Niger), Saloum Delta National Park and Niokola Koba National Park (Senegal), Abuko Nature Reserve (Gambia), Comoé National Park (Ivory Coast), Falgore Reserve (Nigeria), Bénoué National Park (Cameroon) and Bamingui-Bangoran National Park (Central African Republic).