The Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus, is a small barbet. Barbets are near passerine birds with a world-wide tropical distribution. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills.
The Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is a species associated with dry open woodland and scrub which eats insects and fruit. It nests in a tree hole, laying two or three eggs.
This is a tiny barbet at 11cm in length. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The adult Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird has black upperparts streaked heavily with yellow and white. The head has a strong black and white pattern, with a yellow forecrown spot. The underparts and rump are lemon yellow.
Sexes are similar, but young birds have a dark crown without a distinct yellow spot.
The call is a fast tink-tink-tink-tink, with about 100 repetitions per minute. Many barbets perch prominently, but unlike their larger relatives, tinkerbirds sing from cover, and are far more often heard than seen.
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