Capito squamatus
The Orange-fronted Barbet (Capito squamatus) is a striking Neotropical bird, approximately 18 cm (7 inches) in length and weighing between 50-70 grams, immediately recognizable by the male's vivid orange forehead and crown. Its upperparts are largely black, contrasted by white underparts distinctly marked with black scaling, giving rise to its species name 'squamatus' (scaly). A robust, conical bill and yellow ear coverts further aid identification. This species belongs to the family Capitoni...
Found in humid lowland Pacific evergreen forests, secondary growth, and heavily degraded forest edges, typically at elevations ranging from 50 to 800 meters, occasionally up to 1200 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits, especially figs and palms, supplemented by insects like beetles and ants, which are gleaned from foliage.
Orange-fronted Barbets are diurnal, spending their active hours foraging high in the canopy and subcanopy. Their foraging strategy primarily involves gleaning fruits, such as figs and palms, directly from branches and foliage, though they also consume insects. They are generally observed singly o...
The Orange-fronted Barbet is endemic to a restricted geographical area along the humid lowland Pacific evergreen forests of western Ecuador and southwestern Colombia. In Ecuador, its distribution spans the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, Cañar, Azuay, and L...
Near Threatened
- The Orange-fronted Barbet is endemic to a very narrow strip of humid lowland forest along the Pacific coast of western Ecuador and southwestern Colombia. - Its scientific name, Capito squamatus, refers to the distinctive 'scaly' appearance of its black-streaked white underparts. - Despite shari...