Brown headed barbet bird in Sri Lanka

Brown-Headed Barbet: A Beautiful Bird of Sri Lanka

Psilopogon zeylanicus

The Brown-Headed Barbet is a striking bird with a distinct green body and a brown head, a common sight in Sri Lanka’s forests and gardens. Its loud, rhythmic calls echo through the trees, often heard before the bird is seen. This frugivorous bird plays a vital role in seed dispersal, contributing to the health of its ecosystem. Found in a variety of habitats, it is a resilient and adaptable species.
  • The Brown-Headed Barbet is known for its loud, repetitive “kutroo-kutroo” call, which is a signature sound of Sri Lankan forests and wooded areas.
  • This bird is an important seed disperser, consuming a wide variety of fruits and helping to propagate trees and plants.
  • They are cavity-nesters, typically using old tree holes or excavating new ones to build their nests.
  • The Brown-Headed Barbet is a resident bird in Sri Lanka, meaning it does not migrate and can be seen year-round.