Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Red-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus pusillus)
Red-fronted Tinkerbird

Red-fronted Tinkerbird

Pogoniulus pusillus

The Red-fronted Tinkerbird, known scientifically as Pogoniulus pusillus, is a diminutive member of the Lybiidae family. This bird is characterized by its plump body, short neck, large head, and abbreviated tail. The adult boasts a striking plumage with black upper parts adorned with streaks of yellow and white, and a conspicuous golden wing patch. The head is patterned with bold black and white, crowned with a distinctive red spot on the forecrown. The underparts and rump are a vibrant lemon yellow. Both sexes share a similar appearance, though juveniles are noted for the absence of the red forehead.

Identification Tips

To identify the Red-fronted Tinkerbird, look for its red forecrown spot, golden wing patch, and overall darker plumage compared to similar species. It is often mistaken for the Red-fronted Barbet but can be distinguished by its smaller size, the presence of a black moustache, a less robust bill, and the lack of a broad yellow superciliary stripe.

Habitat

This species is found in juniper forests and scrublands, where it is well adapted to its environment.

Distribution

The Red-fronted Tinkerbird is a common resident breeder in eastern South Africa and can also be found from southern Sudan and Ethiopia south to central and eastern Tanzania.

Behaviour

The Red-fronted Tinkerbird is a bird that often remains hidden, singing from cover rather than perching prominently like many of its barbet relatives. It is more frequently heard than seen.

Song & Calls

The call of the Red-fronted Tinkerbird is a rapid series of "tink-tink-tink-tink" notes, repeated approximately 100 times per minute. This call is remarkably similar to that of the Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird.

Breeding

Breeding behavior includes nesting in tree holes, where the bird lays two or three eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Red-fronted Tinkerbird primarily consists of berries and fruit, with a particular fondness for mistletoe. It also supplements its diet with insects as it forages through dense vegetation.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Red-fronted Tinkerbird as Least Concern, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its survival.

Red-fronted Tinkerbird Sounds

β€Œ
Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Red-fronted Tinkerbirds on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More African Barbets

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vidsπŸ¦‰πŸ¦…
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.