Versicolored Barbet: The Kaleidoscope of the Andes

The Versicolored Barbet (Eubucco versicolor) is found in the Andean forests of Peru and Bolivia. It belongs to the family Capitonidae (New World barbets), part of the larger order Piciformes, which also includes woodpeckers and toucans. Piciformes are mostly arboreal, nest in tree cavities and have strong beaks, while Capitonidae are found solely in Central and South America, and are mostly fruit-eating. 

Versicolored Barbet is one of the four species in the genus Eubucco, the other three being:

• Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) – Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
• Lemon-throated Barbet (Eubucco richardsoni) – Amazon Basin (Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia)
• Scarlet-banded Barbet (Eubucco tucinkae) – Endemic to Peru, discovered in 1996

The Three Species of Versicolored Barbet

The Versicolored Barbet has three recognized subspecies, each with distinctive physical characteristics and subtle variations in range and habitat. 

1. Eubucco versicolor versicolor – The Blue-Moustached Versicolored Barbet

• Location: Found in the eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia
• Physical Traits:
  • Known for its red face and breast, with a vibrant yellow belly
  • The blue moustache on the face and green upperparts are defining features
  • It has the most vivid coloration compared to other subspecies

2. Eubucco versicolor steerii – The Blue-Cowled Versicolored Barbet

• Location: Restricted to the central Andes of Peru, particularly around the Junín region
• Physical Traits:
  • The blue crown and cowl (throat) are its most distinguishing features, setting it apart from the other subspecies
  • The face and breast of this subspecies also show bright red, but the belly is often more yellow-green, rather than the brighter yellow seen in versicolor versicolor
  • The overall coloration is less intense than the typical blue-moustached form, with a more muted, earthy tone

3. Eubucco versicolor glaucogularis – The Blue-Chinned Versicolored Barbet

• Location: Found primarily in the Peruvian Andes near Cuzco
• Physical Traits:
  • The blue chin and throat are the most prominent features of this subspecies, giving it its name
  • The red face and crown remain, but the blue coloration is more concentrated around the throat and chin, contrasting with the brighter, all-encompassing blue of the other subspecies
  • The belly is slightly paler, often showing more yellowish tones

Overall Physical Characteristics

• Size: ~16 cm in length
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  • Males: Green upperparts, red face and breast, yellowish belly
  • Females: Green upperparts, blue face and throat, yellowish streaked belly
• Bill: Short, stout, and slightly curved, adapted for eating fruit