Acacia Pied Barbet

The Acacia Pied Barbet, or Pied Barbet (Tricholaema leucomelas), is a striking bird with a distinctive black-and-white striped head, adorned with a red front and forecrown. A pale yellow superciliary stripe graces its face, while a black bib sits under the chin. The bird's eyes are dark brown, and its legs and feet are blackish. The plumage varies slightly among subspecies, with the T. l. centralis sporting a white breast and underparts, the T. l. affinis showing more yellowish tones, and the nominate subspecies having a duskier, streakier appearance.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species can be identified by their red foreheads and the unique pattern of stripes on their heads. Juveniles, however, lack the red mark and have more streaky underpart plumage. Both sexes are similar in appearance, making sex differentiation in the field a challenge.

Habitat

The Acacia Pied Barbet is adaptable and can be found in a variety of environments including semi-arid savanna, grasslands, fynbos, agricultural areas, and even urban gardens. The introduction of alien vegetation has allowed this species to expand its range into areas previously unsuitable for its habitation.

Distribution

This bird is native to southern Africa, with its range extending through Angola, Botswana, eastern Eswatini, western Lesotho, southern Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, southern Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

The Acacia Pied Barbet is a sedentary yet restless bird, often seen alone or in pairs. It exhibits a fast and direct flight pattern. Nesting occurs in cavities drilled into dead wood, a behavior shared with other barbets and woodpeckers. The breeding season spans from August to April, during which two to four eggs are laid and incubated by both parents.

Song & Calls

The male's courtship call is a monotonous series of approximately 21 hoots, which can be heard during the breeding season.

Diet and Feeding

This barbet's diet consists of fruit from various trees and shrubs, including Ficus and Searsia, as well as Aloe nectar and insects. It has been observed taking fruit from Phoenix reclinata as well.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Acacia Pied Barbet as Least Concern, indicating that the species is not currently facing a significant risk of extinction in the wild.