Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiaticus Scientific name definitions

The attractive Blue-throated Barbet is a common inhabitant of lowland and hill forests from the Himalayas eastward through mainland Southeast Asia. In parts of its range (for example, northeastern India), it is almost ubiquitous, being abundant in a variety of habitats including villages and even urban areas; it has adapted well to the presence of humans. Its rapid, monotonous call is uttered almost constantly, and is one of the most common bird sounds of these landscapes even if the bird itself is unseen. This species has two subspecies, the nominate subspecies asiaticus in the west of its range and the subspecies davisoni in the east. The isolated Turquoise-throated Barbet (Psilopogon chersonesus) of peninsular Thailand was formerly considered a subspecies of the Blue-throated Barbet, but has been recently split as a separate species. The Blue-throated Barbet is most easily observed at fruiting trees, where numbers may congregate, or at nesting sites in cavities in dead wood, which the birds excavate themselves. In spite of its gaudy colors, the bird itself can be difficult to locate because of its green plumage and its preference for perching high up in dense foliage. This species account summarizes the available information on the habits and biology of this common, adaptable barbet.