Fun Green Barbet Facts For Kids
Gallery
The white-cheeked barbet or small green barbet (Megalaima viridis) is an enigmatic bird with a distribution that ranges from the western Himalayas to the Malay Peninsula and southern India. For centuries, this species has been of interest to many ornithologists and naturalists.
One of the main reasons for this is its dazzling plumage which varies from greenish to yellow. The other reason for this fascination is because of its distinctive vocalizations that are often heard in the mornings and evenings.
The green barbet is one of the most beautiful birds endemic to southern parts of Asia and Africa. The white-cheeked barbet or the small green barbet is a small, long-tailed bird that lives in forest areas.
It is about the size of a sparrow. They eat mainly insects that they find on plants, bark surfaces, and fruit. This species lives in the mountains of Africa and Asia.
The small green barbet, or the white-cheeked barbet, is very closely related to the brown-headed barbet or the large green barbet. Both the brown-headed barbet and the white-cheeked barbet belong to the same family, genus, and order.
They typically weigh around 2 oz (56.6 g). The white-cheeked barbet spends most of its time in the trees, hunting for insects or fruit on the forest floor.
If you want to read more about the green barbet's distribution and breeding, keep reading this article. For more information on this interesting species, you may read about other birds of the world such as the brown-headed barbet and the acacia pied barbet.
Green Barbet Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a green barbet?
These white-cheeked barbets (Megalaima viridis) are in the family Megalaimidae.
What class of animal does a green barbet belong to?
Green barbets belong to the class of Aves just like lovebirds.
How many green barbets are there in the world?
These species occur very frequently in their specified range, and now they have spread to various parts of the world as well. However, no exact numbers are available as to how many of their species exist.
Where does a green barbet live?
Green barbets (Megalaima viridis) are endemic to the mountains of Africa and southern areas of Asia. It breeds from Afghanistan east to eastern India, Nepal, and south to Sri Lanka. They are most frequently seen in the southern parts of the Indian subcontinent.
These species have been sighted in many different locations throughout India, including the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, Kutch, the Tirumala hills in Andhra Pradesh, and several other mountainous regions.
In Africa too, this species is distributed widely in countries like Cameroon and Angola.
What is a green barbet's habitat?
The distribution and habitat of the white-cheeked barbet have changed throughout its natural history. They inhabit forests and woodlands.
In general, this species prefers forest areas with dense vegetation, humid climates, and moderate elevations. White-cheeked barbets live in scrubby woodland areas of Africa and Asia at altitudes up to 4900 ft (1493.5 m). They are found nesting in tree holes or tree cavities during the breeding season, where there is plenty of fruit.
Who do green barbets live with?
It is sociable and can be seen feeding in groups. It is a friendly creature that lives and feeds in small groups of up to 12 birds. A group of these birds is called a parliament.
How long does a green barbet live?
They are believed to live for around five to eight years; however, this longevity is minimized in the forest.
How do they reproduce?
The nesting process is similar to other birds, where the female selects a location and builds a nest in a tree. The males will help incubate the eggs in the nest by rotating shifts with the females.
The white-cheeked barbet breeds twice a year, once during the summer months, and again in the fall. The female lays two to four eggs that are incubated for around 23 days. However, the female can lay up to three eggs in a single clutch if her previous clutch had failed.
The young are cared for by both parents until they are able to care for themselves at just over two months old. They reach sexual maturity at three years old.
The white-cheeked barbet usually lives in a family of four to six birds and nests in tree cavities. It breeds mostly from August to December, so the young need to fledge from the nest before the wet season in June through to September.
Chicks, or nestlings, are born naked with skin that turns black as they mature. Nestlings have an average weight of an 1 oz (28 g).
What is their conservation status?
This species has a rather large range, and it is not considered to be threatened at this time. Their population is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Green Barbet Fun Facts
What do green barbets look like?
Males and females are similar in appearance with a black head, white cheeks with black spots on them, and brown upper bodies. They have a pale greenish-yellow belly with dark barring. Both sexes have blue-gray legs and a long, curved gray bill with a black tip. Its wings are black with two white spots on its outer wing.
How cute are they?
These species are really cute because of their colorful appearance and interesting calls.
How do they communicate?
These birds have a unique call that sounds like a squeaking door hinge.
How big is a green barbet?
This species measures 7-10 in (17.7-25.4 cm) in length. They are almost two times smaller than a green-billed malkoha.
How fast can a green barbet move?
These species are agile and they are often spotted flying in groups. However, there is no appropriate data is available on their flight speed.
How much does a green barbet weigh?
These birds weigh somewhere between 2.4-3.1 oz (68-87.8 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
There are no such specific names for male and female birds of this species. However, like other birds, female birds are called hens and male birds are called cocks.
What would you call a baby green barbet?
A baby barbet is called a chick.
What do they eat?
The green barbet is an opportunistic feeder. It eats plants, seeds, fruit, berries, worms, flies, and insects, but prefers insects. It feeds on spiders and other small arthropods.
Are they dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous.
Would they make a good pet?
Yes, they are a social birds species, but as they are inhabitants of forest life, it might be a little tricky to keep them as pets.
Did you know...
The white cheek patch can differentiate this barbet from other similar-looking birds like the red-throated barbet or the Indian roller.
This barbet has an arboreal lifestyle, which means it needs trees to survive in its habitat.
What is another name for the barbet bird?
The white-cheeked barbet is also called a small green barbet because of its small head and body.
Where does the barbet bird make its nest?
These barbet birds build their nests in holes in trees, bamboo stalks, or sometimes in dead branches. These birds excavate nesting cavities, and both males and females excavate the nest.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Amazon parrot facts and mealy parrot facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable boho birds coloring pages.
Second image by Sandeep
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.
