Zambia has one endemic bird which is the Chaplin’s Barbet.

The Chaplin's Barbet or Zambian Barbet - Lybius chaplini – is endemic to south central Zambia, where they are restricted to an area between the upper Kafue River to Kabanga in the Kalomo District. Habitat is moist to dry savanna, grassland and arable land, between 900 and 1,400 m. This threatened bird was recently renamed, the Zambian barbet. It was formerly named after a colonial governor.

Description

It is a plump-looking barbet, with a large head and a heavy bill. Plumage is mostly white, except for the distinctive red markings around the eyes. The tail is black and the black wing feathers are edged yellow.

Call

The song is a noisy cackle and it snaps its bill loudly making a grating, buzzy noise.

Food

Its diet consists mainly of figs. They also eat other fruits and insects. These birds are found almost exclusively in open woodland where the Ficus sycomorus is abundant and feed in small groups.

Breeding

The breeding season is from August to November. They nest in the cavities in trees. The female lays between 2 to 4 eggs that are incubated by both parents for between 13 to 15 days.

Conservation Status – Vulnerable

Commercial agriculture and fuel wood collection are responsible for a substantial reduction in habitat suitable for the Zambian barbet. Over the past 20 to 30 years, there has been a significant decline in this species distribution and abundance. Unfortunately most of the Zambian Barbet populations occur outside of protected areas, with the exception of small numbers within Kafue National Park. However, following its recent name change and re-classification on the IUCN Red List, conservationists hope to raise the species’ profile amongst local people. The priority is to engage them in conservation efforts and particularly to increase awareness of the importance of preserving fig trees the birds main food source.

Birdwatching

Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a custom tour for you to see these striking Barbets.