Red-rumped Tinkerbird

About the Red-rumped Tinkerbird

The red-rumped tinkerbird is a small bird species in the Lybiidae family. It is widely distributed across the tropical rainforests of mid-western Africa. This species is monotypic, with no recognized subspecies. Measuring approximately 12–13 cm in length and weighing 14–21.5 g, the Red-rumped Tinkerbird is noted for its distinct coloration—a yellow chest, black head and back, and red lower back or rump that gives the species its name. The wings are black with yellow-tipped feathers, and younger birds tend to display duller plumage with a yellowish bill.

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

ID tip

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Red-rumped Tinkerbird lives

When to see the Red-rumped Tinkerbird

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

Easily confused with

Moustached TinkerbirdPogoniulus leucomystaxThe moustached tinkerbird has mostly a yellow-tinged-green color, a paler belly, and darker undersides. Western TinkerbirdPogoniulus coryphaeaThe western tinkerbird is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae native to Central Africa, where it has been recorded at altitudes from 900 to 3,030 m. Green TinkerbirdPogoniulus simplexThe Green Tinkerbird is a diminutive (approximately 11.5 cm, 8.8 g) and active olive-green barbet characterized by a lack of obvious facial markings, a short, two-toned bill with a black tip and yellow base, a conspicuous bright yellow rump, and two distinct yellow wing bars.