Taiwan barbet

Taiwan barbet
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Megalaimidae
Genus: Psilopogon
Species:
P. nuchalis
Binomial name
Psilopogon nuchalis
(Gould, 1863)
Synonyms

Megalaima nuchalis Gould, 1863

Psilopogon nuchalis singing

The Taiwan barbet (Psilopogon nuchalis), also known as the embroidered barbet, is a species of bird endemic to the country of Taiwan.

Taxonomy

It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black-browed barbet[2] (Psilopogon oorti) and placed in the genus Megalaima.[1]

Description

It is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The plumage is mostly green.[3] The lore has a red spot. The ear-coverts and lower malar are blue. The throat is mustard yellow.[2] The forehead is yellow. There is a black stripe above the eye. The beak is black and thick.[4] The breast has a blue band and a red band.[2] The belly is yellowish-green. The feet are greyish. The sexes are alike.[4]

Name

In Taiwan, the bird is known as the "five-colored bird" (Chinese: 五色鳥; pinyin: Wǔsèniǎo), referring to the five colors on its plumage. Because of its colorful plumage and that its call resembles that of a percussion instrument known as a wooden fish, the species is also referred to as the "colorful monk" (Chinese: 花和尚; pinyin: Huā Héshàng; Taiwanese Hokkien: hue-á huê-siūnn) by Taiwanese.[5]

Habitat and ecology

It is commonly found in forests at elevations of up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft).[2] It feeds on fruits and insects. The breeding season is from March to August.[4] It nests in tree cavities. It may use an existing cavity or excavate one.[3]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Psilopogon nuchalis.
Wikispecies has information related to Psilopogon nuchalis.
  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Psilopogon nuchalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22734433A95085425. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22734433A95085425.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Collar, N. J. (2006). "A taxonomic reappraisal of the Black-browed Barbet Megalaima oorti" (PDF). Forktail. 22. Oriental Bird Club: 170–173.
  3. ^ a b "Black-browed Barbet". Birding in Taiwan. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Psilopogon nuchalis (Gould, 1863)". Taiwan Encyclopedia of Life (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  5. ^ "五色鳥保育" (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 September 2016.