Introduction: The Acacia pied barbet (Tricholaema leucomelas) are not the most sociable of birds, staying singly or in pairs. They prefer a semi-arid savannah with Acacia trees, gardens, orchards and other grassland that has been invaded by alien trees.
Distribution: Very common throughout Namibia. Present in all the main national parks including Etosha National Park, Mahango, Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara Park. Concentrations are also large in the north near Rundu and the Kavango Region.
Diet: Feeds mainly on fruit, mistletoe and fig are a favourite. Like the yellow-fronted tinkerbird they wipe regurgitated seeds that stick on their beaks on a nearby branch.
Description: Small predominately black and white barbets with 1 'tooth' on the upper mandible. They perform a loud, sharp call. Tricholaema is the Greek word for 'throat hair', leucomelas is Latin for white and black.
Breeding: Solitary nesters in dead stems of softwood trees usually around 1 to 3m above the ground. Recently excavated nests can be identified by fresh wood chips lying on the ground. Quiver trees, umbrella thorn and sweet thorn are also used. Between 2 and 4 eggs are laid between August and April with an incubation period of 12 to 18 days.
Size: 17 to 18cm.
Weight: 32 to 35g.
Birds of Namibia Wildlife of Namibia
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