Capito wallacei
The Scarlet-banded Barbet (*Capito wallacei*) is a striking and relatively recently discovered member of the New World barbet family (Capitonidae), nested within the order Piciformes. This small, stocky bird, measuring approximately 19 cm (7.5 inches) in length and weighing around 60 grams, is instantly identifiable by its dazzling plumage. Males boast glossy black upperparts, a brilliant fiery scarlet breast band that broadens across the chest, and a pristine white belly transitioning to yel...
This species inhabits the canopy and sub-canopy of humid evergreen foothill forests, typically found at elevations ranging from 900 to 1500 meters above sea level.
This barbet primarily feeds on a mixed diet of small fruits and insects, which it gleans from foliage and branches within the forest canopy.
The Scarlet-banded Barbet is a diurnal species, often observed singly or in small family groups foraging actively in the upper and middle strata of the forest canopy. They employ a 'sit-and-wait' strategy for insects and glean fruits directly from branches. Vocalizations play a crucial role in ma...
The Scarlet-banded Barbet is a highly localized endemic species found exclusively within a small, isolated mountain range in eastern Peru, specifically the Serranía de Contamana in the Loreto Department. Its entire known distribution is confined to humid evergreen foothill forests occurring at el...
Endangered
- The Scarlet-banded Barbet was only formally described in 2000, making it one of the newest avian discoveries of the 21st century. - Its scientific name, *wallacei*, honors George Wallace, a renowned expert on Neotropical birds who discovered the first specimen. - This species is endemic to an e...