RACBC
Royal Alberta Cage Bird Club
Softbills
Definition of a Softbill
The term softbill is not a scientific one and has been used, and more often misused, in aviculture for numerous years. It is a very misleading title, as many species that fall into the category do not have a soft bill at all. The proper use of the term is in reference to the ‘soft food’ diets which typically fall into the following six categories: Carnivorous – those who feed on small mammals, birds or other vertebrates (e.g., Kingfishers, Rollers) Insectivorous – those who feed on insects and other invertebrates (e.g., Bee-eaters, Fly-catchers) Omnivorous – those who feed on both animal and plant material (e.g., Corvids, Hornbills) Frugivorous – those who feed on fruit (e.g., Turacos, Fruit Doves) Nectarivorous – those who feed on flower nectar (e.g., Hummingbirds, Sunbirds) Folivorous – those who feed on leafs, petals and other plant material (Turacos, Mousebirds) This sixth diet type is usually in association with one of the above, as very few birds are solely folivorous. Several species of Galliformes are frolivores, however they are not considered to be Softbills. A more recent definition by Clive Roots is, “Cage and aviary birds with relatively soft bills, which feed upon insects* and soft plant material and whose young are helpless at birth”. - including other larger animal prey This latter definition does discriminate against a few species, however as can be seen, the definition is very subjective and can encompass numerous species not generally included in the group.
Bearded Barbet
Lybius dubius
The Bearded Barbet is an African barbet. Barbets and toucans are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution. The barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. The Bearded Barbet is a common resident breeder in tropical west Africa. It is an arboreal species of gardens and wooded country which eats fruit, although the young are fed on insects. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2 white eggs. This is a conspicuous, large barbet at 26 cm. It is fairly plump, with a short neck, large head and a shortish tail. The adult has a black crown, back, tail and breast band. The throat and belly are red and there is a yellow eye patch. The rump is white. The massive bill is very thick and yellow, and the well developed clump of bristles at its base give the species its name. Sexes are similar. The call is a growling scrawk. The Bearded Barbet is found in well-wooded areas with plentiful fig trees. It will enter gardens for fruit. It forms social groups of 4-5 birds and pairs or groups roost together in a tree cavity.
White-cheeked Turaco
Tauraco leucotis
The White-cheeked Turaco is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family. It is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. A mid-sized species, it measures about 43 cm (17 in) in length, including a tail of 19 cm (7.5 in), and weighs about 200–315 g (7.1–11.1 oz). This species is the most commonly raised turaco in captive conditions.
The White-cheeked Turaco is native to Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, where it is found in Podocarpus and juniper forests in the highland regions.
There are two subspecies, the nominate subspecies T. l. leucotis found in the Podocarpus forests of Eritrea, Ethiopia and southeastern Sudan and T. l. donaldsoni found in south-central Ethiopia south of the Rift Valley and in the extreme west of Somalia. The latter is quite distinct in plumage colour - the eastern population is separated from the larger population by the escarpment. The White-crested Turaco has been shown to hybridise with the sympatric Prince Ruspoli's Turaco (Tauraco ruspolii) that contributed more to concerns about Ruspoli's Turaco that is considered endangered.
In captivity a 'cinnamon' colour sport (a recessive colour mutation) first occurred spontaneously in birds bred by Mr D Jones in Gloucestershire, England and is now in present in captive birds in other countries. A single white-cheeked Turaco has been living wild in east London (Leytonstone and South Woodford). The sighting was recorded and confirmed in October 2009. It has survived the climate and potential predators for at least four years and appears to be living in harmony with native species. It's believed to be an escaped or released pet. Sightings in gardens have continued to delight Londoners into September 2013.