Capito fitzpatricki
The Sira Barbet (Capito fitzpatricki) is a vibrant and elusive member of the New World barbet family, Capitonidae, discovered relatively recently in the remote cloud forests of central Peru. This medium-sized barbet, measuring approximately 18-20 cm in length with a stocky build and disproportionately large head, is instantly recognizable by its dazzling plumage. Males boast a brilliant crimson crown, a stark black mask across the eyes, and a rich golden-yellow throat and upper breast, contra...
The Sira Barbet exclusively inhabits humid montane cloud forests, primarily found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
The Sira Barbet's diet consists predominantly of a variety of wild fruits, especially figs (Ficus) and fruits from Cecropia trees, supplemented by various insects such as beetles, ants, and their larvae.
Sira Barbets are diurnal birds, most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours, often foraging solitarily or in pairs high in the forest canopy. They employ a 'sit-and-wait' foraging strategy for insects but spend a significant portion of their time gleaning fruits directly from br...
The Sira Barbet is critically restricted to a very small and fragmented range within the montane cloud forests of central Peru. Its primary distribution is known from the Cordillera de Sira, an isolated mountain range stretching across the Huánuco and Pasco regions, within the upper Amazon basin ...
Endangered
- The Sira Barbet was only formally described in 2005, making it one of the most recently discovered barbet species. - It is named in honor of John W. Fitzpatrick, a renowned American ornithologist and conservationist. - Despite its stocky appearance, its thick, chisel-like bill is remarkably ade...