The Sladen’s Barbets (Gymnobucco sladeni) – also sometimes referred to as Zaire Barbet, occur naturally in the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Distribution / Range
The Sladen’s Barbets are found in the central and eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ranging east to the borders of Uganda and Rwanda. Some reports of them also exist in southwestern Central African Republic.
Description
These plumb-looking barbets have large heads, and heav bills fringed with bristles.
Diet / Feeding
They mostly eat fruits, including cultivated fruits and vegetables from plantations. They usually eat the fruits whole and regurgitate indigestible matter (like seed pits) later.
They also feed on insects, such as ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths, mantids; and lizards and frogs.
Nesting / Breeding
They typically nest in tree cavities. The average clutch consists of 2 – 4 eggs, which are incubated for 13 – 15 days. Both parents raise the young.
African Barbet Information … African Barbet Species Index … African Barbet Photo Gallery
