Breeding

Most information on the breeding of Prong-billed Barbets is from Skutch (1944). The mating season for the Prong-billed Barbet begins in March with courtship behaviors. In mid-March the mated pairs begin making their nests with the hole being excavated by both sexes. The cavity is excavated 3-18 m above the ground in a tree. Females begin laying eggs once the cavity has been excavated, generally by early April. Females lay a single egg a day until the nest contains 4-5 eggs (Skutch 1944). Eggs are pure white and glossy. Females only lay a single clutch each year. The pair share responsibilities with both incubating and keeping the eggs covered for 80% of the day.

Incubation of the eggs continues for 14-15 days, all eggs hatching within 24 hours. Nestlings are naked and blind after emerging from their eggs. The nestling period is unknown but Skutch (1944) found that after 9 days nestlings were still blind and naked. Like incubation, caring and feeding the new nestlings is shared by both parents. Both parents also keep the nest extremely clean. Nestlings are initially fed insects but fruit rapidly gains importance in their diet (Skutch 1944). Each parent assists with teach the fledgling to fly as well. Fledglings will remain with their parents even after they have reached their immature stage of life.