Higher classification Megalaima | Phylum Chordata Family Megalaimidae Scientific name Psilopogon nuchalis Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Bird, Black‑browed barbet, Megalaima, Black bulbul, Grey treepie | ||
The Taiwan barbet (Psilopogon nuchalis) is a species of bird endemic to the island of Taiwan.
Contents
Taxonomy
It was formerly considered a subspecies of the black-browed barbet (Psilopogon oorti) and placed in the genus Megalaima.
Description
It is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The plumage is mostly green. The lore has a red spot. The ear-coverts and lower malar are blue. The throat is mustard yellow. The forehead is yellow. There is a black stripe above the eye. The beak is black and thick. The breast has a blue band and a red band. The belly is yellowish-green. The feet are greyish. The sexes are alike.
Name
The Chinese name for the bird means "five-colored bird" (simplified Chinese: 五色鸟; traditional Chinese: 五色鳥; pinyin: wuseniao), 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 "spotted monk of the forest" in Taiwan.
Habitat and ecology
It is commonly found in forests at elevations of up to 2,800 m (9,200 ft). It feeds on fruits and insects. The breeding season is from March to August. It nests in tree cavities. It may use an existing cavity or excavate one.
