Psilopogon zeylanicus (J.F.Gmelin, 1788)

Plumage

Adult Psilopogon zeylanicus have streaked brown plumage on the head, neck, and breast, with a distinct yellow eye patch. The remaining parts of their plumage are green.

Size & Morphology

They measure 27 cm (11 in) in total length, and have a large head, short neck, and short tail.

Call Behavior

Their call is a repetitive 'kutroo…kutroo…kutroo', though they do not call during winter. When one individual begins calling, other members of the species will join in.

Geographic Range

This species has a widespread range that extends from the Terai region of southern Nepal in the north to Sri Lanka in the south, and covers most of peninsular India.

Conservation Status

It is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Arboreal Lifestyle

Psilopogon zeylanicus is an arboreal species that lives in gardens and wooded landscapes.

Diet Overview

It feeds on both fruit and insects.

Human Tolerance

It is fairly tolerant of human presence, and is frequently spotted in city parks.

Foraging Habits

It forages on mangoes, ripe jackfruit, papaya, banana, figs, and other similar cultivated fruit trees.

Habitat Preferences

Its habitat includes both urban and rural gardens, and it typically avoids dense heavy forest.

Reproductive Behavior

It nests in tree holes, which it will often excavate itself, and lays a clutch of 2 to 4 eggs. Both sexes take turns incubating the eggs, and they frequently communicate with one another using their 'Kura, kura' calls.