The Yellow-fronted tinkerbird is widespread in sub-Saharan
Africa, mainly occurring in broad-leaved woodland. It feeds mainly on fruit,
especially mistletoe fruits, a tree which largely relies on it to disperse
seeds. Both sexes excavate the nest, which is usually a hole dug into a dead
branch at least 10 cm wide. Here it lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both
sexes for an unknown period. The chicks are cared for by both parents, calling
persistently for food.
Distribution and habitat
Occurs in sub-Saharan Africa,
largely absent from the DRC. Within southern Africa it occupies north-eastern
Namibia (including the Caprivi Strip), northern and south-eastern Botswana,
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and north-eastern South Africa. It generally prefers broad-leaved woodland, especially
with miombo (Brachystegia)
and mistletoes (incl. Tapinthus, Erianthemum, and Viscum),
avoiding evergreen forest.
It feeds mainly on fruit,
especially mistletoe fruits (see
article at birdinfo.co.za), a tree which largely relies on it to disperse
seeds. The following food items have been recorded in its diet:
Both sexes excavate the nest, which is usually a hole dug into a dead
branch which is at least 10 cm wide. The breeding pair are sometimes displaced by Tricholaema leucomelas (Acacia
pied barbet), who then enlarge the cavity to use as a nest.
Egg-laying season is from July-February, peaking from September-October
in Zimbabwe and from October-March in South Africa.
It lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes for an unknown
period.
The chicks are cared for by both parents, calling persistently for food.
Threats
Not threatened, in fact well-represented in protected
areas.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Roberts
- Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker
Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.