24-11-2016 INLE LAKE, MYANMAR - BLUE THROATED BARBET (Psilopogon asiaticus)

The blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus ) is an Asian barbet native to the foothills of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It inhabits lowland and montane forests at elevations of 200–2,000 m (660–6,560 ft).It has bright green, blue and red plumage. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills; this species eats fruits and insects.

A common inhabitant of lowland and foothill tropical forests, where it sings brightly but often unseen from the canopy; listen for its repeated 3- or 4-syllabled ‘took-o-rrook!’ Tends to be more common in edge areas and degraded forests than other barbets. Bright green with a blue throat, a red-and-yellow crown, and a heavy, pale-based bill. Birds at the northern and western parts of this species’ range have a black brow, while southern birds don’t.