The Moustached Barbet, Megalaima incognita, is an Asian barbet. Barbets are a group of near passerine birds with a world-wide tropical distribution. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills.
The Moustached Barbet is a resident breeder in the hills of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It is a species of broadleaf evergreen forest from 600-700 m.
Description
This barbet is 23 cm in length. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The bill is dark horn, and the body plumage is green. The adult of the form, M. i. elbeli, which occurs in northern Thailand has a red forehead, green crown with a red spot at the rear, a blue face and throat, and black eyestripe and moustache. Males and females look alike, but the juvenile has a duller, greener head and throat with a narrower moustache.
The other subspecies are nominate M. i. incognita in Myanmar and western Thailand, and M. i. eitroa in southeast Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
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.
Calls / Vocalizations
The male’s territorial call is a repeated loud u’ik-a-ruk u’ik-a-ruk u’ik-a-ruk.
Related Web Resources: Asian Barbet Information … Asian Barbet Species … Asian Barbet Photo Gallery
