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gardening for birds Barbets
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There are four African Barbet species in Botswana, namely
the Crested, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pied and Black-

collared. All are beautifully coloured birds, that are also
beneficial to have in one’s garden.

The Crested Barbet is common in Botswana, easily recognised with it’s speckled
yellow and red face and black crest. It is loved by most gardeners as it loves to eat
snails and other insects. It does sometimes eat the eggs of other birds, and fruits
too.

Barbets roost in holes in trees, but you can also encourage them to your garden by
tying a soft wooded log (like sisal) about 2 feet or so in length, to a tree. Planting
trees and shrubs that are loved by insects, like Pappea capensis, Grewia, Combretum and
Acacia species, will also encourage Barbets to visit your garden.

Their distinctive calls, trills that can continue for long periods, mean that even
when you can’t see them, you definitely know they are around. Be cautious of your
cats when you see Barbets in the garden, as they quite often hop around on the
ground looking for food, and do not fly easily and then only for short distances.

Text & photos by S.C

Crested Barbet
pg 26