White-eared Barbet

Afrikaans name: Witoorhoutkapper

White-eared Barbet

Photo © Steven Herbert

Stactolaema leucotis

The White-eared Barbet has a limited range in South Africa. It occurs at various places along the KwaZulu-Natal coastal region from around Durban to Kosi Bay. It is most common towards the north.

These birds are most often seen high up in trees where they feed on fruit. Wild Figs are a particular favourite. They also eat nectar from Mountain Aloes, and they will also take termite alates when available.

White-eared Barbets are monogamous, but an interesting feature of their breeding behaviour is that the pair are assisted by helpers. They breed in Spring and Summer with October to December being the peak time. The pair excavate a hole in a dead branch where the female will lay up to 6 eggs. Both sexes incubate the eggs with assistance from their helpers. The male, female and helpers all assist with feeding duties and it is interesting that most of the food brought to the nest consists of insects and less wild figs. The chicks leave the nest after about 5 to 6 weeks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	433	Smilorhis leucotis leucotis
2nd	433	Buccanodon leucotis
3rd	433	Buccanodon leucotis
4th	433	Buccanodon leucotis
5th	466	Stactolaema leucotis
6th	466	Stactolaema leucotis
7th	60	Stactolaema leucotis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	433	White-eared Barbet
2nd	433	White-eared Barbet
3rd	433	White-eared Barbet
4th	433	White-eared Barbet
5th	466	White-eared Barbet
6th	466	White-eared Barbet
7th	60	White-eared Barbet

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	433	Witoor-houtkapper
2nd	433	Witoor-houtkapper
3rd	433	Witoor-houtkapper
4th	433	Witoor-houtkapper
5th	466	Witoorhoutkapper
6th	466	Witoorhoutkapper
7th	60	Witoorhoutkapper

References and further reading

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 177

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 133

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 272

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 264

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 405

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 402

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 295

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 310

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 38

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 230

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 262

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 262

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 190

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 47

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 155

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 172

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 94

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 94

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 187

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List of South African Birds