The black-spotted barbet is a species of bird in the family Capitonidae, the New World barbets. It is found in Brazil, the Guianas, and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield and northern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in Brazil north of the Amazon (especially Amapá and northern Pará), the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), and adjacent eastern Venezuela. Inhabits lowland humid evergreen forest, including terra firme, gallery forest, and tall secondary growth. Most active in the canopy and subcanopy, but also uses forest edges and gaps. Often concentrates around fruiting trees and along river corridors. Tolerates some disturbance where large fruiting trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-spotted barbet is a chunky, thick-billed frugivore of the Guiana Shield and adjacent northern Amazonia. It often forages high in the canopy at fruiting trees and supplements its diet with insects. Pairs frequently call in duet, a hallmark of New World barbets, and they excavate nesting cavities in soft or decaying wood. Its seed-dispersing habits make it an important component of tropical forest regeneration.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short, undulating flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and sometimes associates with mixed-species flocks. Nests in cavities excavated in soft or decaying wood and occasionally in arboreal termitaria. Both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and feeding of young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a series of mellow, hollow hoots or whistles, often delivered in rhythmic sequences. Pairs frequently duet, with phrases exchanged antiphonally. Calls include harsh churrs and soft contact notes given while foraging.
