EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

D'Arnaud's of the East

D'Arnaud's Barbet (Trachyphonus darnaudii), Family Capitonidae
Lake Baringo, Kenya

Explanation:  Not a finch, this is a diminutive barbet known as D'Arnaud's Barbet, found in east Africa.  

Populations are presumed to be stable throughout its range because the species seems to be widespread and rather readily observed ... although no studies seem to be available on its demography and population size.  Some populations, however, might qualify as full and undescribed species.  

  

D'Arnaud's Barbets are found in Ethiopia, Kenya,
Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda ...
and as shown here, Tanzania.

I photographed this individual in the Seregeti of northern Tanzania.
This is likely the subspecies Trachyphonus darnaudii emini.

  
D'Arnaud's Barbets are found in habitats of dry bush country and open thornbush country.  

They excavate holes in the ground where they nest, unlike other barbets that create and nest in tree cavities.