Black collared barbet

Introduction: Black-collared barbets (Lybius torquatus) find their way to woodland where wild figs and other such fruiting trees grow. Torquatus is the Latin phrase for (literally) 'adorned with a (collared) necklace' and Lybius is a Greek word mentioned by Aristotle and Aristophanes.

Distribution: Although they are one of the most widely distributed barbets on the continent, they are absent from any dry regions restricting their range from some rare observations around the Kunene River to scattered populations in the Oshakati wetland areas. They are most common in Namibia in the Caprivi region extending to Victoria Falls and south to the Okavango Delta.

Diet: Feeds on fruit and seeds, but also takes flying insects and termites.

Description: Medium-sized to large barbets with large deep bills.

Breeding: Females lay between 2 and 5 eggs in nests pecked in softwood trees on the underside of sloping dead branches in October to December. Incubation periods are 18 days performed by both male and female.

Size: 19 to 20cm.

Weight: 50 to 58kg.