How to Breed Barbets: Housing, Diet, Nesting, and Challenges Explained

Описание: arbets are fascinating softbill birds closely related to toucans and woodpeckers.
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But breeding them in captivity is considered very difficult and requires specialist knowledge, equipment, and experience.

In this video, we explore how barbets breed, the housing and environmental conditions they require, and why successful breeding is rare even among experienced aviculturists. This content is intended for educational purposes and for those with a serious interest in aviculture.

🐦 What Are Barbets?

Barbets belong to the order Piciformes and are found across Africa, Asia, and South America. There are approximately 76 species worldwide, divided into several regional families. They are active, intelligent birds known for their strong drilling behavior and species-specific vocalizations

🏠 Housing and Environment

Proper housing is one of the most critical factors in keeping and breeding barbets:

Aluminum aviaries are strongly recommended, as barbets drill and damage wooden structures

Space requirements range from medium cages to large flight aviaries

Barbets have thin feathering and are sensitive to cold, requiring supplemental heat or indoor housing in winter

Ground-nesting species require deep aviary foundations to prevent accidental escape through digging

🍎 Diet in Captivity

Barbets are relatively easy to feed compared to their breeding complexity. Their diet typically includes:

Fruit

Commercial softbill pellets

Insects

A balanced, consistent diet is essential before any breeding attempt.

🪵 Nesting and Breeding Behavior

Breeding requirements vary significantly by species:

Some barbets nest in underground chambers, which must be protected from flooding

Others excavate tree hollows or nestboxes, often modifying provided structures

Long nestboxes filled with soft wood or shavings are commonly used in captivity and may also serve as sleeping sites

Barbets may alter or drill additional entrance holes, reflecting their natural behavior.

♀️♂️ Sexing Barbets

Sex identification depends on the species:

Some species are sexually dimorphic, with visible male–female differences

Others show no external differences and require professional sexing

🥚 Documented Breeding Observations

Successful breeding has been recorded but remains rare. In one documented case, Black Spotted Barbets produced two clutches in a single season, showing strong incubation behavior and adaptability once settled.

A key lesson from such cases is not to move established pairs, as stability appears crucial for breeding success.

⚠️ Important Considerations

Breeding barbets is not suitable for beginners. It requires:

Specialized housing

Climate control

Species-specific nesting setups

Patience and long-term observation

This video is intended to inform, not encourage inexperienced breeding.

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