Yellow-spotted barbet

The bird genus Buccanodon, part of the African barbet family, has a fascinating history. Previously, it was classified under the Capitonidae family and occasionally even the Ramphastidae family. This genus comprises two species commonly known as yellow-spotted barbets.

For a considerable time, scientists believed Buccanodon included only one species: B. duchaillui. However, in 2019, new research identified a second species, B. dowsetti, occurring in populations west of the Dahomey Gap.

These two species appear almost identical, making them difficult to distinguish. The primary differences lie in their vocalizations and geographic distributions.