Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos)

The R🐦 Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos)

The Red-throated Barbet is a stunning, vibrantly colored bird found in the lush rainforests of Southeast Asia. With its brilliant red throat, green body, and striking facial patterns, it’s a true gem of the canopy.

🌈 Identification & Appearance

• Size: ~25–27 cm (10–11 in)
• Plumage:
  • Throat and face: Bright red
  • Body: Predominantly vivid green
  • Crown: Often shows a mix of blue and black
  • Black “mustache” stripe running from the beak down the sides of the throat
• Bill: Thick, blackish, and stubby — typical of barbets, used for pecking at fruit and bark
• Eyes: Dark with a yellowish eye ring

🌏 Distribution & Habitat

• Found in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo
• Inhabits lowland and hill dipterocarp forests, sometimes up to 1,200 meters elevation
• Favors primary forests but may also be seen in well-vegetated secondary growth or forest edges

🌿 Diet & Foraging Behavior

• Frugivorous — primarily eats fruits and figs, especially from forest trees
• Occasionally supplements diet with:
  • Insects and small invertebrates
• Forages mostly in the canopy, sometimes seen in mixed-species flocks

🧬 Breeding & Nesting

• Breeding season: Varies locally, often in spring and summer
• Nests are excavated in tree trunks or dead wood, where both sexes participate in digging and raising young
• Clutch size: Typically 2–4 eggs
• Chicks are altricial (born blind and helpless) and are fed by both parents

🛡️ Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT)
• Threats:
  • Deforestation for agriculture and logging
  • Habitat fragmentation, especially in lowland tropical forests
• Conservation efforts emphasize the protection of primary rainforest habitats

🌟 Interesting Facts

• Like other barbets, they communicate using a series of repetitive, booming calls, often heard echoing through the forest
• They help disperse seeds of many tropical trees, playing a crucial role in forest regeneration
• Often perch quietly for long periods despite their bright colors, making them harder to spot than you’d expect

🧭 Summary

The Red-throated Barbet (Megalaima mystacophanos) is a beautifully colored bird of Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests. With its glowing red throat and green plumage, it brings a splash of color to the canopy. As a fruit-lover and seed disperser, it supports forest health — but this quiet forest dweller depends on the preservation of dense, unspoiled woodland to thrive.

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