Black-spotted Barbet

Overview

The black-spotted barbet (Capito niger) is a species of bird in the family Capitonidae, the New World barbets. It is found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela, and has been classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Length of 16 to 19 cm and a weight of 41 to 68 g.
• Adult males feature a red forehead, yellowish crown and nape, and a black band from the lores to the nape, with a black upperside outlined in yellowish and yellow wingbars.
• The throat is red, the breast and belly are yellow, and the flanks are yellow with an olive tinge and black streaks; females are more heavily marked with pale flecks on the upperparts and spotted or streaked breasts.
• Song consists of double, sometimes single, low 'wú-woot' notes, while its call is described as a scratchy croak.

Habitat

The species inhabits the interiors of terra firme, riparian, and várzea forests, as well as forest edges and open terrain such as gardens and plantations. Its range includes eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and the Brazilian states of Roraima, Pará, and Amapá north of the Amazon River, reaching elevations from sea level up to 800 m.

Diet

Little is known about the black-spotted barbet's specific diet and foraging habits, though these are assumed to be similar to those of the gilded barbet.

Did you know?

The species was historically considered conspecific with the widespread gilded barbet until the late 20th century, when it was distinguished as part of a superspecies complex that also includes the brown-chested barbet.