Biology of Indian Barbets

Having pan-tropical distribution, the barbets are prominent group of birds belonging to family Capitonidea. Paucity of any detail information on ecology and biology of Asiatic barbets prompted the author to undertake an intensive study on life history of Indian barbets. It seemed also desirable to get an explanation how congeneric sympatric barbets coexisted successfully. Feeding impact of barbets on Coffee Plantations has also been discussed. Besides controlling termites and other harmful insects including coffee stem borer and teak defoliator, the barbets help in seed dispersal and cross-pollination of plants. Although still common at many places in the country, due to shrinkage of forests and avenue gardens, and poaching in certain areas, the population of barbets is declining. Therefore, barbets deserve due consideration in biodiversity conservation planning of the country for their sustainability.