White-cheeked Barbet

The White-cheeked Barbet, or Small Green Barbet (Psilopogon viridis), is a charming bird native to southern India. It measures between 16.5 to 18.5 cm in length, with a brownish head streaked with white, sometimes giving it a capped appearance. The bill of this bird is a pale pink, and its size varies, with the northern birds being larger than their southern counterparts.

Identification Tips

This species can be identified by its distinctive supercilium and a broad white cheek stripe below the eye. It is often confused with the Brown-headed Barbet, but the White-cheeked Barbet lacks the orange eye-ring of its relative.

Habitat

The White-cheeked Barbet is found in the forest areas of the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats, and adjoining hills.

Distribution

Its main range extends along the Western Ghats south from the Surat Dangs and into parts of the southern Eastern Ghats, mainly in the Shevaroy and Chitteri Hills.

Behaviour

These barbets are arboreal and rarely visit the ground. They are known to be quite aggressive when foraging, often chasing away other frugivores. During the breeding season, their calls become loud and constant, particularly in the mornings.

Song & Calls

The call of the White-cheeked Barbet is a monotonous "Kot-roo…Kotroo…" starting with an explosive "trrr". It also utters a single note "wut" during hot afternoons, which is similar to the call of the Collared Scops Owl or the Coppersmith Barbet.

Breeding

Breeding season begins in December and continues until May. These barbets are believed to form pair bonds that last beyond a single breeding season. Both sexes excavate the nest, which can take about 20 days to complete. They lay about 3 eggs, and the incubation period is 14 to 15 days.

Diet and Feeding

The White-cheeked Barbet is mostly frugivorous, feeding on the fruits of various Ficus species and other introduced fruit trees. They also consume winged termites and other insects opportunistically. They play an important role in forests as seed dispersal agents and may also visit flowers for nectar.

Conservation status

The White-cheeked Barbet is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.