GAMBIA BIRD SPECIES

Bearded Barbet

Lybius dubius

Overview

The Bearded Barbet is a charismatic West African bird with a powerful bill and a wonderfully untidy black ‘beard’. Its bold colours make it unmistakable when perched in the open.

Identification

It has a black head and breast, red forehead and belly, yellow eye patch and a large pale bill. The coarse black throat feathers form the beard that gives the species its English name.

Habitat and behaviour

This barbet lives in open woodland, wooded farmland, orchards and villages with mature fruiting trees. It feeds on fruit as well as insects and often sits on exposed dead branches. Pairs give loud, rhythmic calls and use cavities for nesting.

Birdwatching in The Gambia

It is widespread in suitable habitats across The Gambia, from coastal woodland to inland savannah. Fruiting figs and prominent dead snags are particularly worth checking.

Field note

Listen for repeated paired notes and inspect the tops of large trees. Lamin Jobaate can help visitors observe feeding, calling and nesting behaviour while exploring a varied selection of Gambian birdwatching sites.

Plan your birdwatching tour: Ask Lamin Jobaate about a private itinerary for this species and The Gambia’s other outstanding birds.