The 42 species of African Barbets (Lybiidae) are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the far south-west of South Africa. They are usually about 20–25 cm long, plump-looking, with large heads, and their heavy bill is fringed with bristles; however the tinkerbirds are smaller, ranging down to the Red-rumped Tinkerbird (with a mere 7 g and 9 cm in length.

They are mainly solitary birds, eating insects and fruit. Figs and numerous other species of fruiting tree and bush are visited, an individual barbet may feed on as many as 60 different species in its range. They will also visit plantations and take cultivated fruit and vegetables. Fruit is eaten whole and indigestible material such as seed pits regurgitated later. Regurgitation does not usually happen in the nest, although tinkerbirds do place sticky mistletoe seeds around the entrances of their nests, possibly to deter predators. As the other barbets, 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 on 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.