barbet

[ bahr-bit ]

noun

1. any of several stocky, tropical birds of the family Capitonidae, having a stout bill with bristles at the base.

barbet

/ ˈbɑːbɪt /

noun

1. any small tropical brightly coloured bird of the family Capitonidae , having short weak wings and a sharp stout bill with tuftlike feathers at its base: order Piciformes (woodpeckers, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbet¹

1745–55; < French ≪ Latin barbātus; barbate

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbet¹

C18: from French, ultimately from Latin barbātus bearded, barbate

Example Sentences

Traditionally finders and retrievers of waterfowl, barbets - like some other breeds around the globe - dwindled during the world wars, but fanciers eventually built their numbers back up.

From Washington Times

On that absurdly beautiful day, as a man’s body hung from a deodar, the sky was a gaudy blue and the morning symphony of thrushes and barbets was on.

From The Guardian

There were also pigeons, fruit doves, fairy bluebirds, barbets, and parrots.

From The New Yorker

The Taiwan barbet is known in Chinese as the “five-colored bird” for its green, red, yellow, blue and black plumage.

From New York Times

We were amazed when we came across a group of them — and also wild red jungle fowl, a green dove, a green barbet and many other wonderful animals.

From New York Times