Black-Collared Barbet

The Black-Collared Barbet, Lybius torquatus, is quite common in Southern and Eastern Africa, inhabiting a variety of light forests, woodlands and savannah habitats.  Barbets are related to woodpeckers and toucans; they excavate their nest holes in soft-wooded trees more with a biting than a hammering action.  They eat mostly fruit, being especially partial to wild figs.  Black-collared barbet couples (the females and males look alike) sing 'duets' where one bird sings one note, and the other two notes, rapidly following each other so that it sounds like the call of a single bird!  Small acrylic painting.