White-cheeked barbet

Bucco viridis was the scientific name proposed by Pieter Boddaert in 1783 for a green barbet that had been described by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon in 1780 based on a specimen collected in India. It was illustrated by François-Nicolas Martinet in a hand-coloured plate. It was placed in the genus Megalaima proposed by George Robert Gray in 1842 who suggested to use this name instead of Bucco. Its type locality is Mahé, Puducherry in southwestern India. It is a monotypic species. In 2004, molecular phylogenetic research of barbets revealed that the Megalaima species form a clade, which also includes the fire-tufted barbet, the only species placed in the genus Psilopogon at the time. Asian barbets were therefore reclassified under the genus Psilopogon. Results of a phylogenetic study of Asian barbets published in 2013 indicate that the white-cheeked barbet is most closely related to the yellow-fronted barbet (P. flavifrons), which is endemic to Sri Lanka. The relationship of the white-cheeked barbet with some close relatives in its taxon is illustrated below. == Description ==

The white-cheeked barbet is in length. It has a brownish head streaked with white, sometimes giving it a capped appearance. The bill is pale pink. Size varies from the larger northern birds to the southern ones. Like many other Asian barbets, white-cheeked barbets are green, sit still, and perch upright, making them difficult to spot. During the breeding season which begins at the start of summer their calls become loud and constant especially in the mornings. The call, a monotonous Kot-roo...Kotroo... starting with an explosive '' is not easily differentiated from that of the brown-headed barbet. During hot afternoons, they may also utter a single note wut'' not unlike the call of collared scops owl or coppersmith barbet. Other harsh calls are produced during aggressive encounters. ==Distribution and habitat==

The main range is along the Western Ghats south from the Surat Dangs and along the associated hills of southern India into parts of the southern Eastern Ghats mainly in the Shevaroy and Chitteri Hills. ==Behaviour and ecology==

The Indian ornithologist Salim Ali noted that some individuals call in the night during the breeding season, but this has been questioned by other observers who noted that they appear to be strictly diurnal. Food and feeding The white-cheeked barbet feeds in trees and rarely visits the ground. It obtains most of the water needed from its fruit diet. When water is available in a tree hole, it sometimes drinks and bathes. It is mostly frugivorous, feeding on the fruits of various Ficus species including Ficus benjamina and Ficus mysorensis, but takes winged termites and other insects opportunistically. It also fruits of introduced tree species such as Muntingia calabura. When foraging it is aggressive and attempts to chase other barbets, Asian koels and other frugivores. The white-cheeked barbet plays an important role in forests as seed dispersal agents. It also visits the flowers of Bombax for nectar and may be involved in pollination. A species of tick in the genus Haemaphysalis is known to be specific in its parasitic association with the white-cheeked barbet, and some species of Leucocytozoon are known to be blood parasites. Some species of Haemaphysalis are known to carry the virus responsible for the Kyasanur forest disease. Shikras have been recorded preying on adults. The white-cheeked barbet is a primary cavity nester, chiseling out the trunk or a vertical branch of tree with a round entry hole. They breed from December to July, sometimes raising two broods. They may reuse the same nest tree each year but often excavate a new entrance hole. ==References==