The golden-throated barbet (Psilopogon franklinii) is an Asian barbet. Barbets are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills.
Distribution The golden-throated barbet is resident in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam and mainland China. Its presence in Bangladesh is uncertain. It inhabits tropical and subtropical moist forests at elevations of 900 to 2,565 m.
Range map from www.oiseaux.net - Ornithological Portal Oiseaux.net
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DescriptionThis barbet is 20.5-23.5 cm in length. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The bill is dark, and the body plumage is green, but the subspecies have different head patterns. The adult northern nominate form has a red and yellow crown, black eyestripe, white lower face neck, and yellow throat. The sexes are similar, but the juvenile is duller with a weaker head pattern.
• Psilopogon franklinii franklinii, the nominate race, occurs from India east to northern Laos and southwestern China,
• Psilopogon franklinii ramsayi is found in central and eastern Myanmar and northern and western Thailand. It has a grey lower throat and grey-streaked black ear coverts.
• Psilopogon franklinii trangensis occurs in peninsular Thailand. It resembles the nominate form.
• Psilopogon franklinii minor occurs in the mountains of Malaysia. It resembles the nominate form, but has some blue behind the ear coverts.
• Psilopogon franklinii auricularis is found in the highlands of southern and central Cambodia, central Laos and Vietnam. It resembles the nominate form, but has some blue behind the ear coverts.
The male’s territorial call is a very loud pukwowk.