Page 2 - BIOME 2022 | Issue 1
P. 2
ISSUE 01 - 2022
The CES BIOME is a biannual online
magazine, which strives to provide verified
and unbiased scientific knowledge to
the general reader in a comprehensible
manner through science, policy, news, and
art related to environmental awareness.
Cover Art: Nadeela Hirimuthugoda
ON THE COVER: Crimson-fronted Barbet Psilopogon rubricapillus (Gmelin, 1788)
One of the 34 species of birds that are its scientific name, rubricapillus, means
endemic to Sri Lanka, the Crimson- ‘red capped’ or ‘red crowed’ from Latin
fronted Barbet, now also called Sri Lanka ruber meaning red and capillus meaning
Barbet, is found mainly in the wet and capped or crowned). It also has orange
intermediate zones of the island. A bird around its eyes and throat. The base of
of the wooded areas, it may be observed the stout, strong bill has several tufts of
up to an elevation of 1300 m above sea bristles whose precise function is unclear.
level, including the Hantana mountain In fact, the first part of its scientific name
range and the campus of the University of comes from Greek psilos, meaning ‘bare’,
Peradeniya, where its slow wok…wok… and pogon, meaning ‘beard’. The Sri
wok or rapid popopopop…popopop… Lanka Barbet usually lives in pairs or small
popopopopopop calls may be familiar groups. An entirely frugivorous species, it
sounds to an ardent birdwatcher. The is attracted to trees when they are fruiting.
bird is usually better heard than seen. It breeds mainly during the period from
The Crimson-fronted Barbet is a small- March to April. This elegant little bird
sized bird with predominantly green undoubtedly adds color and beauty to the
plumage and bright red forehead (part of environment in which it lives.
Chaminda Wijesundara-Department of Zoology, University of Preradeniya
2 CES BIOME ISSUE 01 | 2022
