The Green-eared Barbet, Megalaima faiostricta, is a resident breeder in southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. It inhabits broadleaf evergreen and mixed or open woodlands at up to 900 m altitude.
This barbet averages 24.5–27 cm in length. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The adult has a white-streaked brown head and breast, green ear coverts, mainly dark bill, and green-streaked yellow belly. The rest of the plumage is green.
Both sexes and immature birds are similar.
Similar Species: This species resembles Lineated Barbet, but is smaller, has the distinctive green ear patch, a darker bill and a dark, rather than yellow, eye-ring.
Calls / Vocalizations
The male’s territorial call is a loud took-a-prruk. Another call sounds like a mellow pooouk.
Diet / Feeding
They primarily feed on fruits, but will also eat a wide range of insects, such as ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths and mantids.
Breeding / Nesting
They nest in tree holes and hens usually lay 2 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for 13 to 15 days.
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
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