Slightly larger than a sparrow. Sexes alike. The bright green upper
parts, orange-yellow-face and throat-patches, and very small scarlet
breast-spot, distinguish it from the Crimson-breasted Barbet.
Out of the breeding season it is very gregarious, forming large,
scattered flocks especially in the neighbourhood of fruiting trees, such
as banyan, bo, and other wild figs; like all barbets it is
predominantly a fruit eater. After gorging themselves, they repair to
the top branches and indulge in their hobby of vocal music, making the
air pulsate with the chorus of pop op oping-to the distraction of their
human audience.
The breeding season is from January to June. The nest-hole is
indistinguishable from that of the Crimsone-breasted Barbet, but is more
often, I think, dug into the lower surface of a sloping branch rather
than into an upright post, and is usually higher in a tree than with
that species. Dead branches of breadfruit, dadap, and flamboyant are
much favoured as nesting site by both species. Two or three white eggs
are laid on the bare wood at the bottom of cavity; they measure about
25.5 x 18.2 mm.
This bulbul is This is a very common bird in cultivated or openly-wooded
country throughout the wet zone up to 4,000 feet, and in scattered
colonies in parts of the dry zone.
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