Lybius torquatus (Dumont, 1805)

Body Length

The black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus, is typically 20 to 25 centimeters long.

General Morphology

It has a plump build, a large head, and a heavy bill fringed with bristles, a feature characteristic of the genus Lybius.

Etymology

Its name refers to its very distinct black head and black collar.

Facial Coloration

It has bright fire-engine red coloring around the eyes and beak.

Head Color Variation

Its coloration is morphologically variable, as some individuals have a red head in place of a black head.

Interspecies Comparison

Compared to other barbets, this species is larger and has more intense coloring.

Sexual Dimorphism

The black-collared barbet is sexually monomorphic: there is generally no phenotypic difference between males and females, and their morphology, size, and behavior are basically identical.

Geographic Distribution

This species is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.