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Lybiidae - African Barbets, Tinkerbirds

There are 53 species of birds in this family. They are found mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

They are found in a variety of habitats, including savannas, open woodlands, forests, and scrublands, often near fruit trees.

They are small to medium-sized, with short necks, large heads, and thick, stubby bills often lined with bristles.

Their plumage is often brightly patterned in red, yellow, black, and white.

These birds are mostly fruit eaters, especially figs, but they also feed on insects.

Many species are cavity nesters, digging nesting holes in trees or termite mounds.

  • The gray-throated barbet is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray-Throated Barbet
    (Gymnobucco bonapartei)
    The gray-throated barbet is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Zambian barbet is found in Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Zambian Barbet
    (Lybius chaplini)
    The Zambian barbet is found in Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The black-billed barbet is found in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Billed Barbet
    (Lybius guifsobalito)
    The black-billed barbet is found in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-headed barbet Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Headed Barbet
    (Lybius leucocephalus)
    The white-headed barbet Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-faced barbet is found in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Red-Faced Barbet
    (Lybius rubrifacies)
    The red-faced barbet is found in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The black-collared barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Collared Barbet
    (Lybius torquatus)
    The black-collared barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The banded barbet is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Banded Barbet
    (Lybius undatus)
    The banded barbet is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Vieillot's barbet is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Vieillot's Barbet
    (Lybius vieilloti)
    Vieillot's barbet is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-rumped Tinkerbird is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Rumped Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus atroflavus)
    The red-rumped Tinkerbird is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-rumped tinkerbird is found across much of central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus bilineatus)
    The yellow-rumped tinkerbird is found across much of central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-fronted tinkerbird is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus chrysoconus)
    The yellow-fronted tinkerbird is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western green tinkerbird is found in Angola, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Green Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus coryphaea)
    The western green tinkerbird is found in Angola, Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-fronted tinkerbird is found in Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Fronted Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus pusillus)
    The red-fronted tinkerbird is found in Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The speckled tinkerbird is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Speckled Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus scolopaceus)
    The speckled tinkerbird is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-throated tinkerbird is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Tinkerbird
    (Pogoniulus subsulphureus)
    The yellow-throated tinkerbird is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The double-toothed barbet is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Double-Toothed Barbet
    (Pogonornis bidentatus)
    The double-toothed barbet is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bearded barbet is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bearded Barbet
    (Pogonornis dubius)
    The bearded barbet is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The brown-breasted barbet is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Brown-Breasted Barbet
    (Pogonornis melanopterus)
    The brown-breasted barbet is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Anchieta's barbet is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Anchieta's Barbet
    (Stactolaema anchietae)
    Anchieta's barbet is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-eared barbet is found in Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Eared Barbet
    (Stactolaema leucotis)
    The white-eared barbet is found in Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Whyte's barbet is found in The Democratic Republic of the Congo,, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Whyte's Barbet
    (Stactolaema whytii)
    Whyte's barbet is found in The Democratic Republic of the Congo,, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-and-yellow barbet is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-and-Yellow Barbet
    (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus)
    The red-and-yellow barbet is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Usambiro barbet is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Usambiro Barbet
    (Trachyphonus usambiro)
    The Usambiro barbet is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crested barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crested Barbet
    (Trachyphonus vaillantii)
    The crested barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-fronted barbet is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Fronted Barbet
    (Tricholaema diademata)
    The red-fronted barbet is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Miombo pied barbet is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Miombo Pied Barbet
    (Tricholaema frontata)
    The Miombo pied barbet is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The hairy-breasted barbet is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Hairy-Breasted Barbet
    (Tricholaema hirsuta)
    The hairy-breasted barbet is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The spot-flanked barbet is found in Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spot-Flanked Barbet
    (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
    The spot-flanked barbet is found in Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Acacia pied barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Acacia Pied Barbet
    (Tricholaema leucomelas)
    The Acacia pied barbet is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-throated barbet is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Throated Barbet
    (Tricholaema melanocephala)
    The black-throated barbet is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

acacia barbet
The Acacia barbet is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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