Birds › African savanna › Crested Barbet

Crested Barbet

Trachyphonus vaillantii

Its long, fast trill sounds like an alarm clock going off. Pairs sing duets.

Where to see it for real: Fruit and suet in gardens of southern Africa; it may nest in a log with a hole.

Spot it in the game

Lives in the African savanna habitat (Southern and East Africa, at sunset).

Crested Barbet facts

Family

African barbets

Length

9.1 in (23 cm)

Weight

2.6 oz (75 g)

Diet

Insects, snails, fruit and sometimes eggs.

Range

Southern and south-central Africa.

Nest

A hole it digs in a dead branch or log.

Song

A long, fast, purring trill like an alarm clock.

Active

by day

Status

Least Concern on the IUCN Red List: widespread and not at risk.

What the Crested Barbet sounds like

How to attract the Crested Barbet

Feeder foods, favorite first: fruit, suet, mealworms. Feeders that hold them: platform feeder and suet cage. Keep a bird bath full, too.

In the game: fill a feeder with fruit, suet and mealworms and keep the bird bath full. It is a common visitor.

More: bird songs and calls, what to feed birds.

More birds of the African savanna

Lilac-breasted RollerAfrican savannaSuperb StarlingAfrican savannaLittle Bee-eaterAfrican savannaSouthern Yellow-billed HornbillAfrican savannaSouthern Masked WeaverAfrican savannaHelmeted GuineafowlAfrican savanna