The Red-rumped Tinkerbirds (Pogoniulus atroflavus) are found in the following African countries:
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
Description
The Red-rumped Tinkerbird is the smallest of all African Barbets, averaging 7 g and 9 cm (3.6 inches) in length. As is typical of African Barbets, they have large heads, and their heavy bill is fringed with bristles.
Diet / Feeding
They are mainly solitary birds, eating insects and fruit. Figs and numerous other species of fruiting tree and bush are visited, an individual barbet may feed on as many as 60 different species in its range.
They will also visit plantations and take cultivated fruit and vegetables. Fruit is eaten whole and indigestible material such as seed pits regurgitated later (often before singing).
As well as taking fruit, African barbets also take arthropod prey, gleaned from the branches and trunks of trees. A wide range of insects are taken, including ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths and mantids. Scorpions and centipedes are also taken, and a few species will take small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs and geckos.
Nesting / Breeding
They usually nest in holes bored into dead trees, branches or stumps. They usually lay 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
