The Story
This female Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) was photographed at Finca Alejandría, known as El Paraíso de los Colibríes, at Kilometer 18 near Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, up in the mountains. The farm is known for its hummingbirds, but it draws many other colorful birds as well, including this barbet. Her blue cheeks and orange neck accents stand out against the dark green foliage. The species ranges from Costa Rica to Peru, between 400 and 2,400 meters, and eats caterpillars, other insects and fruit, including bananas at feeders. IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
I made this frame with a Canon R5 and the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L, at 1/8000 sec, f/6.7, ISO 3200, −2 EV. Finca Alejandría sits at Kilometer 18 on the road from Cali to Buenaventura.
©2024 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) belongs to the family Capitonidae (New World Barbets) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2020), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List