Eubucco versicolor (P.L.S.Müller, 1776)

Species Identity

The versicolored barbet, Eubucco versicolor, is a multicolored bird that, like all barbets, has a sturdy bill.

General Size and Plumage Variation

All subspecies are approximately 16 cm (6.3 in) long, but differ in weight and plumage.

Male General Plumage

All males have a red face and crown, green to blue-green upperparts, red lower breasts, and yellowish bellies with green streaks; the size and shape of the red lower breast varies between subspecies.

Female General Plumage

Females share the same green to blue-green upperparts and yellowish bellies with green streaks as males.

Nominate Form Weight

The nominate "blue-moustached" form weighs 28 to 39 g (0.99 to 1.38 oz).

Nominate Male Plumage

Nominate males have a red throat with a thin blue band below it, a blue malar patch (the "moustache"), a blue band separating the red head from the greenish back, and a yellow upper breast.

Nominate Female Plumage

Nominate females have a greenish cap, blue malars with a yellow edge, and a blue throat with a thin red band below it.

Blue-cowled Form Weight

The "blue-cowled" form weighs 31 to 37 g (1.1 to 1.3 oz).

Blue-cowled Male Plumage

Males of this form have blue back of the head and nape (the "cowl"), and a red chin, yellow malars, and yellow throat.

Blue-cowled Female Plumage

Females of this form have yellow crown and nape, and blue face, throat, and upper breast, with a thin red crescent dividing the throat and breast.

Blue-chinned Form Weight

The "blue-chinned" form weighs 26 to 41 g (0.92 to 1.45 oz).

Blue-chinned Male Plumage

Males of this form have a thin blue band behind the head like the "blue-moustached" form, a yellow malar, and successive bands of red, blue, and orange between the bill and the yellow upper breast.

Blue-chinned Female Plumage

Females of this form have yellow crown and nape, and blue face and throat with a red band below the throat.

Nominate Form Distribution

The nominate "blue-moustached" barbet is distributed from Peru's Cuzco and Puno Regions eastward to Cochabamba Department in north central Bolivia.

Blue-cowled Form Distribution

The "blue-cowled" form is found only in Peru, ranging from west central Amazonas south to northern Huánuco.

Blue-chinned Form Distribution

The "blue-chinned" form is also found only in Peru, along the eastern slope of the Andes from eastern Huánuco to northern Cuzco.

General Habitat

All subspecies of the versicolored barbet live in humid submontane forest, especially forests with heavy epiphyte and moss growth, as well as mature secondary forest.

Nominate Form Additional Habitat

The nominate subspecies additionally inhabits dry forest in Bolivia.

Elevation Range

All three forms typically occur at elevations from 1,000 to 2,000 m (3,300 to 6,600 ft), and can be found as high as 2,225 m (7,300 ft).