Green Tinkerbird

The Green Tinkerbird, known scientifically as Pogoniulus simplex, is a member of the Lybiidae family, which encompasses African barbets. This small bird is characterized by its predominantly dull-green plumage.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Green Tinkerbird, look for its unassuming green plumage which sets it apart from other more vibrantly colored tinkerbirds. The plumage patterns of this species and its relative, the Moustached Green Tinkerbird, are distinct enough to have warranted their placement in the genus Viridibucco by some authorities.

Habitat

This species is associated with the coastal, dry, forest-thicket complex, a habitat that provides the necessary resources for its survival.

Distribution

The Green Tinkerbird is found in several African countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Notably, it has been rediscovered in the southern African region, specifically in the Gorongosa Massif and the Sitila-Massinga district of Inhambane Province, Mozambique.

Behaviour

The Green Tinkerbird is a somewhat elusive species, with its presence in southern Africa having been considered enigmatic until recent rediscoveries. It is known to be a frugivore dispersal agent in the Gorongosa area.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Green Tinkerbird as Least Concern, suggesting that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher risk category.