The Lybiidae is a bird family containing the African barbets. Barbets get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. There are 42 species ranging from the type genus Lybius of forest interior to the tinkerbirds (Pogoniulus) of forest and scrubland. They are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the far south-west of South Africa.

The African terrestrial barbets, Trachyphoninae, range from the southern Sahara to South Africa. Members of one genus,
Trachyphonus, they are the most open-country species of barbets. The subfamily Lybiinae contains the African arboreal barbets. There are 36 species of Lybiinae in 6 genera. Most African barbets are about 7.9–9.8 in long, plump-looking, with large heads, and their heavy bill is fringed with bristles.

They are mainly solitary birds, eating insects and fruit. Figs and numerous other species of fruiting tree and bush are visited. They will also visit plantations and take cultivated fruit and vegetables. Fruit is eaten whole and indigestible material such as seed pits regurgitated later (often before singing). They are thought to be important agents in seed dispersal in tropical forests.

As well as taking fruit, African barbets also take arthropod prey, gleaned from the branches and trunks of trees. A wide range of insects are taken, including ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles, moths and mantids. Scorpions and centipedes are also taken, and a few species will take small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs and geckos.

Subfamily Lybiinae
Genus Gymnobucco
Naked-faced Barbet, Gymnobucco calvus
Bristle-nosed Barbet, Gymnobucco peli
Sladen's Barbet, Gymnobucco sladeni
Grey-throated Barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
Genus Stactolaema
White-eared Barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
Anchieta's Barbet, Stactolaema anchietae
Whyte's Barbet, Stactolaema whytii
Green Barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
Genus Pogoniulus - tinkerbirds
Speckled Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Western Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus coryphaeus
Moustached Green-tinkerbird, Pogoniulus leucomystax
African Green-tinkerbird, Pogoniulus simplex
Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
White-chested Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus makawai
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
Genus
Buccanodon - Yellow-spotted Barbet
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui
Genus Tricholaema
Hairy-breasted Barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
Red-fronted Barbet, Tricholaema diademata
Miombo Barbet, Tricholaema frontata
Pied Barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas
Spot-flanked Barbet, Tricholaema lacrymosa
Black-throated Barbet, Tricholaema melanocephala
Genus
Lybius (12 species)
Banded Barbet, Lybius undatus
Vieillot's Barbet, Lybius vieilloti
White-headed Barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
Chaplin's Barbet or Zambian Barbet, Lybius chaplini
Red-faced Barbet, Lybius rubrifacies
Black-billed Barbet, Lybius guifsobalito
Black-collared Barbet, Lybius torquatus
Brown-breasted Barbet, Lybius melanopterus
Black-backed Barbet, Lybius minor
Double-toothed Barbet, Lybius bidentatus
Bearded Barbet, Lybius dubius
Black-breasted Barbet, Lybius rolleti

Subfamily Trachyphoninae
Genus Trachyphonus (6 species)
Yellow-billed Barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
Crested Barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
Yellow-breasted Barbet, Trachyphonus margaritatus
Red-and-yellow Barbet, Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
D'Arnaud's Barbet, Trachyphonus darnaudii
Usambiro Barbet, Trachyphonus usambiro