Prong-billed Barbet
Prong-billed Barbet

The prong-billed barbet (Semnornis frantzii ) is a distinctive, relatively large-billed bird native to humid highland forest of Costa Rica and western Panama. It eats mainly fruits of trees and epiphytes, although it occasionally takes insects or flower petals. Flight is direct with rapid and buzzy wingbeats. The frequently heard and distinctive song is a throaty "cwa-cwa-cwa-cwa..." duet given by mated pair or two individuals in a group. Pairs nest March–May in an unlined woodpecker cavity, with 4–5 eggs in the nest.

Photographer: Dave Saunders

Prong-billed Barbet

The prong-billed barbet (Semnornis frantzii ) is a distinctive, relatively large-billed bird native to humid highland forest of Costa Rica and western Panama. It eats mainly fruits of trees and epiphytes, although it occasionally takes insects or flower petals. Flight is direct with rapid and buzzy wingbeats. The frequently heard and distinctive song is a throaty "cwa-cwa-cwa-cwa..." duet given by mated pair or two individuals in a group. Pairs nest March–May in an unlined woodpecker cavity, with 4–5 eggs in the nest.

Photographer: Dave Saunders