SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 47

SUPER SURPRISE #47

We’re going bird watching in North Africa today! We’re on the lookout for a brightly colored bird with funny feathers around the beak! Grab your binoculars and let’s head on today’s adventure!

MEET THE BEARDED BARBET!

   Range/Habitat: North Africa/ woodlands

   Diet: Omnivore: fruit, figs, insects

   Length/Weight: 10”/ 2 ½-4 oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Bearded Barbets are black and red.
• They have bristly feathers around their beaks. These feathers give them their name.
• Bearded barbets are related to toucans and woodpeckers.
• Bearded barbets live in groups of 4-5 birds.
• They are plump birds.
• Bearded barbets use their bills to pound open holes in trees.

These gorgeous birds are funny looking with their feathery beards. Did you know that birds who eat fruit such as figs, help grow more fig trees? That’s right, when these birds poop, they redistribute the seeds and help another tree grow! Neat!