Taiwan barbet

The Taiwan barbet (Psilopogon nuchalis) is a species of bird endemic to the country of Taiwan.

Taiwan barbet
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Megalaimidae
Genus: Psilopogon
Species:
P. nuchalis
Binomial name
Psilopogon nuchalis
(Gould, 1863)
Synonyms

Megalaima nuchalis Gould, 1863

Taxonomy

It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black-browed barbet[2] (Psilopogon oorti) and placed in the genus Megalaima.[1]

Description

It is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The plumage is mostly green.[3] The lore has a red spot. The ear-coverts and lower malar are blue. The throat is mustard yellow.[2] The forehead is yellow. There is a black stripe above the eye. The beak is black and thick.[4] The breast has a blue band and a red band.[2] The belly is yellowish-green. The feet are greyish. The sexes are alike.[4]

Name

The Chinese name for the bird means "five-colored bird" (simplified Chinese: 五色鸟; traditional Chinese: 五色鳥; pinyin: wuseniao), 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.[5]

Habitat and ecology

It is commonly found in forests at elevations of up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft).[2] It feeds on fruits and insects. The breeding season is from March to August.[4] It nests in tree cavities. It may use an existing cavity or excavate one.[3]

References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Psilopogon nuchalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22734433A95085425. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  2. Collar, N. J. (2006). "A taxonomic reappraisal of the Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti" (PDF). Forktail. Oriental Bird Club. 22: 170–173.
  3. "Black-browed Barbet". Birding in Taiwan. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  4. "Psilopogon nuchalis (Gould, 1863)". Taiwan Encyclopedia of Life (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  5. "五色鳥保育" (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 September 2016.
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