Bird Guide

Black-collared Barbet vs White-headed Barbet

Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)

Black-collared Barbet

Lybius torquatus

Small52 gGrassland

The black-collared barbet usually is about 20–25 cm long, plump-looking and has a large head. It also has the heavy bill fringed with bristles that is characteristic of the genus Lybius. This barbet has a very obvious black collar and head which gives reference to its name. It also has a fire-engine red coloring around the eyes and beak. It has morphologically variable coloring because there is a replacement of a red head with a black head. It also has a more intense color and is larger than other barbets.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: flowcomm · CC BY 2.0
White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus)

White-headed Barbet

Lybius leucocephalus

Medium63 gWoodland

This species is one of the largest in this genus at 18–19.5 cm (7.1–7.7 in) in length. It is a black and white type of barbet that has a stubby neck and a heavy-toothed bill. It is found in open woodland areas that are close to water and cultivation. It utilizes fig and jacaranda trees to find food and to excavate nests. These birds are also very social and live in small groups.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the White-headed Barbet
Recorded by Anne Ndung'u · Song · Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: avocat · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-collared Barbet and White-headed Barbet.