The Green Barbet (Stactolaema olivacea) occurs naturally in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania. The southern-most subspecies Stactolaema olivacea woodwardi is endemic to Ongoye Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Description
They are usually about 20 – 25 cm long, plump-looking, with large heads. Their heavy bill is fringed with bristles.
Diet / Feeding
These mostly solitary birds eat a variety of fruits. They will also visit plantations and take cultivated fruit and vegetables. Fruit is eaten whole and indigestible material such as seed pits regurgitated later.
They will also feed on insects, such as ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths, mantids – sometimes even scorpions and centipedes. They may also eat lizards, frogs and geckos.
Nesting / Breeding
They usually nest in holes bored into dead trees, branches or stumps – occasionally in riverbanks or termite nests. The hen usually lays between 2 to 4 eggs that are incubated for 13–15 days. Nesting duties are shared by both parents.
African Barbet Information … African Barbet Species Index … African Barbet Photo Gallery
