How do you identify a White-headed Barbet?

This species is one of the largest in this genus at 18–19.5 cm (7.1–7.7 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.

How big is a White-headed Barbet?

The White-headed Barbet is a medium sized bird weighing about 63 g.

Where can you see a White-headed Barbet?

The White-headed Barbet occurs in 10 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Rwanda.

What does a White-headed Barbet sound like?

You can listen to 2 field recordings of the White-headed Barbet on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.

What birds look similar to a White-headed Barbet?

The White-headed Barbet is most easily confused with the Vieillot's Barbet, the Black-billed Barbet and the Banded Barbet.

White-headed Barbet

Lybius leucocephalus

African Barbets · Piciformes · Rare

The White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus) is a rare african barbet found in 10 countries, weighing about 63 g. The white-headed barbet is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae.

Not EvaluatedRareEats fruitwoodlandcavity nest63 g

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 1 — Photo: Caroline Quinn · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 2 — Photo: Rafael Würtemberger · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 3 — Photo: marsyd · http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 4 — Photo: Adrien Jailloux · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 5 — Photo: Adrien Jailloux · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 6 — Photo: Adrien Jailloux · http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 7 — Photo: (c) William Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 8 — Photo: (c) Sandra Keller, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 9 — Photo: (c) Tom Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus), photo 10 — Photo: (c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

About the White-headed Barbet

The white-headed barbet is a species of bird in the family Lybiidae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

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

How to identify it

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.

What the White-headed Barbet sounds like

Recording: Anne Ndung'u · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Recording: Anne · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Kenya Uganda Tanzania Nigeria Rwanda Cameroon Angola Chad Congo - Kinshasa

Recorded as a rare visitor in South Sudan.

When to see it

The White-headed Barbet can be seen all year round, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a White-headed Barbet?: This species is one of the largest in this genus at 18–19.5 cm (7.1–7.7 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a White-headed Barbet?: The White-headed Barbet is a medium sized bird weighing about 63 g.
Where can you see a White-headed Barbet?: The White-headed Barbet occurs in 10 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Rwanda.
What does a White-headed Barbet sound like?: You can listen to 2 field recordings of the White-headed Barbet on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a White-headed Barbet?: The White-headed Barbet is most easily confused with the Vieillot's Barbet, the Black-billed Barbet and the Banded Barbet.

Learn the White-headed Barbet for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

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