only fig tree crowns in the main canopy and not visiting lower fig plants (Wells, 1999). The blue-eared barbet has been
observed to take syconia in the diameter range for 5.4–27.7 mm, with utilisation increasing towards the lower end, with
most activity observed at the diameter of 11.6 mm. The blue-eared barbet is more territorial with respect to food sources
and are observed to defend patches of fruit in a crown, chasing away even larger frugivorous species. This behaviour
could be the reason why this species went extinct, owing to over-competition, and lack of a suitable number of fruiting
fig plants at any point of time. The brown barbet has similar preferences to both red-crowned barbet and blue-eared
barbet with respect to fig size, and seems to be as flexible as red-crowned barbet with respect to exploiting animal
foods. We have observed brown barbet at Bukit Tinggi, Malay Peninsular searching foliage and the surface and crevices
of bark on branches and trunks for animal foods as well as eating flowers of trees or vines.