Bird Guide

Blue-throated Barbet

Psilopogon asiaticus

Least ConcernFruitForestCavity nestMedium · 91 g

About the Blue-throated Barbet

The blue-throated barbet is a green Asian barbet native to the foothills of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It inhabits lowland and montane forests at elevations of 200–2,000 m (660–6,560 ft), frequenting fruiting trees. Due to its green colour, it is difficult to spot but is easily located by its continual loud calls. Sexes are similar in most respects and share domestic duties.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The blue-throated barbet is a non-migratory, arboreal medium-sized barbet, about the size of a myna 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in). Sexes are similar though the female is slightly heavier with 87–103 g (3.1–3.6 oz) than the male with 79–100 g (2.8–3.5 oz). It is a stocky, green bird with a short tail. The undersides are a lighter yellow-green. The underside of the tail may have a bluish cast. The head and neck are distinctive, with a bright red forehead, black stripe across the crown and red rear crown. The sides of the face, chin and upper neck are pale blue.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Blue-throated Barbet sounds like

Recording: Ujjal Kishor De · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Ujjal Kishor De · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Blue-throated Barbet lives

Regular range

When to see the Blue-throated Barbet

Peak activity in April · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Blue-throated Barbet vs Taiwan Barbet · Blue-throated Barbet vs Brown-headed Barbet · Blue-throated Barbet vs Great Barbet

Learn the Blue-throated Barbet in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.