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Hi,

I have a question(well two) regarding Black-collared barbets, at my house I have a few nesting logs and a feeding tray.

The ones in my garden occur in a group of three. Is this the norm?

These three barbets excavate nesting holes together and feed together. My other question is that do only two(i presume the dominant pair) breed?

Thanks

Hi Just Juice,

Black-collared Barbets are social breeders. There will be a primary pair who excavate the nest cavity and lay clutch of 1 - 5 eggs. All members of the group will take turns with incubation, with a guard bird posted outside the nest somewhere. They can lay up to 4 clutches in a season. The eggs take around 18 or 19 days to hatch and the young are visible at the entrance holes of the nest at around 28 days. They usually fledge in 33 - 35 days.

Your group may be a newly established one, with just three birds, but if successful, will grow in size over the breeding period. Lesser Honeyguides parasitisize this species, which could cause a failure to breed by the group.

Hope this helps.

hi justjuice

Barcud is right they are social breeders or what is called co-operative breeders. There are two types of helpers, primary helpers and secondary helpers with the primary helpers being related to the breeding pair and the secondary helpers are unrelated.

I also have a trio in my garden

to all...

Interesting info...heard about them breeding in this manner but havn't seen it myself. Anyone know how big these breeding groups can get?? and whether the 'helpers' are offspring from the breeding pair or whether its unrelated individuals that form part of the group???

Thanks All ,