Bearded Barbet

Pogonornis dubius

Range

• Tropical West Africa

Habitat

• Open forests with tall trees

Diet

• Fruits
• Insects

Barbets are closely related to Toucans, and more distantly to Woodpeckers.

No living birds have teeth. However, this species has prehistoric-looking saw-like edges on their beak to help make slicing through the stems of fruits easy. This specialized beak also aids in boring holes into rotten trees where bearded barbets roost and lay eggs.