Blue-throated Barbet (Megalaima asiatica) - 15 January 2013 - Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. Photo © 2013 Joseph Morlan


This individual seems to have a stronger moustache stripe than usually illustrated and I considered the possibility it might be the similar
Moustached Barbet (Megalaima incognita), but the crown pattern is wrong and the moustache stripe not strong enough. Other photos of this species from Kaeng Krachan also show this stronger than usual moustache stripe. Although this source ascribes these birds to the nominate race, I think that is probably an error. The nominate race usually has a black (not blue) center crown and does not occur in Thailand. Two subspecies normally occur in Thailand and I think this is probably M. a. davisoni which has a more extensive red nape. Females lack the small red spots on the side of the chest of the male. Based on this, I believe our bird is probably a female.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter).
[ Back to Photo Gallery ] [ Home ]