Scarlet-crowned Barbet

Capito aurovirens

The Scarlet-crowned Barbet (*Capito aurovirens*) is a strikingly colorful resident of the humid lowland forests of the upper Amazon basin. Averaging 18-19 cm (7.1-7.5 inches) in length and weighing 58-75 grams (2.0-2.6 oz), this stout-bodied bird is instantly recognizable by the male's vibrant scarlet crown, which can appear more orange-red in females, though sexual dimorphism is subtle. Its upperparts are a rich olive-green, contrasting with a yellowish-green belly that often shows a brighte...

Habitat

Found primarily in humid subtropical and tropical lowland evergreen forests, forest edges, and mature secondary growth, typically at elevations below 500 meters.

Diet

Primarily frugivorous, consuming a variety of fruits, especially figs and berries, supplemented with insects, spiders, and larvae obtained by gleaning.

Behavior

This diurnal barbet is typically observed alone or in pairs, often high in the forest canopy, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. It forages primarily by gleaning fruits and insects from foliage and branches, using its strong bill to pluck ripe berries and figs. Scarlet-crowned Ba...

Range

The Scarlet-crowned Barbet is a resident species found exclusively in the upper Amazon basin of South America. Its distribution spans southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and western Brazil. In Colombia, it is found in the departments of Caquetá, Putumayo, and Amazonas. In E...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- The Scarlet-crowned Barbet belongs to the New World Barbet family (Capitonidae), distinct from the Asian and African barbets, though all are in the order Piciformes, alongside woodpeckers and toucans. - Its scientific name, *Capito aurovirens*, roughly translates to 'golden-green head', referri...

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