Taiwan Barbet – Feeding Chick & Cleaning Nest
The Taiwan barbet is a species of bird endemic to the country of Taiwan. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black-browed barbet and placed in the genus Megalaima.
It is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The plumage is mostly green. The lore has a red spot. The ear-coverts and lower malar are blue. The throat is mustard yellow. The forehead is yellow. There is a black stripe above the eye. The beak is black and thick. The breast has a blue band and a red band. The belly is yellowish-green. The feet are greyish. The sexes are alike.
The Chinese name for the bird means “five-colored bird” (五色鸟), referring to the five colors on its plumage. Because of its colorful plumage and that its call resembles that of a percussion instrument known as a wooden fish, the species is also referred to as the “spotted monk of the forest” in Taiwan.
It is commonly found in forests at elevations of up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft). It feeds on fruits and insects. The breeding season is from March to August. It nests in tree cavities. It may use an existing cavity or excavate one.
Video Source: 小黃嘴雀 (小桑鳲)/Yellow-billed Grosbeak from Chuenguey Hwang on Youtube ⁄ CC BY
