Psilopogon viridis (Boddaert, 1783)

Scientific Name and Length

The white-cheeked barbet, scientifically named Psilopogon viridis (Boddaert, 1783), measures 16.5–18.5 cm (6.5–7.3 in) in length.

Head and Bill Features

It has a brownish head streaked with white that sometimes gives it a capped appearance, and a pale pink bill.

Population Size Variation

Individuals from northern populations are larger than those from southern populations.

Plumage and Perching Behavior

Like many other Asian barbets, white-cheeked barbets have green plumage, sit still, and perch upright, which makes them difficult to spot.

Breeding Season Calling Pattern

Their breeding season begins at the start of summer, during which their calls become loud and constant, especially in the mornings.

Primary Call Description

Their call is a monotonous Kot-roo...Kotroo... that starts with an explosive trrr, and is not easily distinguished from the call of the brown-headed barbet.

Afternoon Single-Note Call

During hot afternoons, they may also produce a single-note wut call that is not unlike the call of a collared scops owl or coppersmith barbet.

Aggressive Encounter Calls

They produce other harsh calls during aggressive encounters.

Species Range

The main range of the white-cheeked barbet extends along the Western Ghats south from the Surat Dangs, along the associated hills of southern India, and into parts of the southern Eastern Ghats, mainly in the Shevaroy and Chitteri Hills.

Range Displacement Observation

In some areas, it has been suggested that this species may have displaced the brown-headed barbet, which was formerly the dominant barbet species in these areas.

Diurnality Dispute

Indian ornithologist Salim Ali observed that some individuals call at night during the breeding season, but other observers have questioned this note, stating that the species appears to be strictly diurnal.

Foraging Location

White-cheeked barbets forage for food in trees and rarely visit the ground.

Water Intake from Fruit

They get most of the water they need from the fruit they eat.

Drinking and Bathing Behavior

When water is available in a tree hole, they will sometimes drink and bathe.

Primary Diet Components

They are mostly frugivorous, feeding on the fruits of various Ficus species including Ficus benjamina and Ficus mysorensis, but will take winged termites and other insects opportunistically.

Introduced Fruit Consumption

They also feed on the fruits of introduced tree species such as Muntingia calabura.

Foraging Aggression

When foraging, they are aggressive, and will attempt to chase away other barbets, Asian koels, and other frugivores.

Seed Dispersal Role

White-cheeked barbets play an important role in forests as seed dispersal agents.

Nectar Feeding and Pollination

They also visit the flowers of Bombax to feed on nectar, and may be involved in pollination.

Agricultural Impacts

Because they eat fruit, they are a minor nuisance in fruit orchards, although they are noted to have a beneficial effect in coffee plantations.

Known Parasites

A species of tick in the genus Haemaphysalis is known to have a specific parasitic association with the white-cheeked barbet, and some species of Leucocytozoon are known to be blood parasites of the species.

Tick-Borne Disease Association

Some species of Haemaphysalis are known to carry the virus that causes Kyasanur forest disease.

Predation Record

Shikras have been recorded preying on adult white-cheeked barbets.