Blue-throated Barbet

Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica) is a species of barbet. It was the mascot of the author's old forum (Blackbird Garden).

Other names
Synonym: Cyanops davisoni.

Description
A small, green bird with a blue head and throat. It has a red crown and lores, bordered in black, in between the black and red lores, there is a thin tan line. Its tail is green as well. Its beak his ivory (horn-coloured) and the upper mandible is tipped in blackish grey. Its undertail coverts are a bluish-grey. Its eyes are brown.

Similar species
It is similar to other members of Megalaima. It is closely related to Moustached Barbet (Megalaimia incognita), with recordings of mixed pairs between the two. It is also related to Golden-throated Barbet, M. franklinii and Black-browed Barbet, M. oorti.

Forms a superspecies with Mountain Barbet, M. monticola.

Diet
It feeds on insects and fruit, like other members of its family.

Distribution/habitat
It is native to Bangladesh; Bhutan; China; India; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; Thailand; Vietnam.