The Sirá barbet is a bird in the family Capitonidae, the New World barbets. It is endemic to the Cerros del Sira of east-central Peru.
Region
Eastern Peruvian Andes (Cerros del Sira)
Typical Environment
This species is restricted to humid montane and submontane forests along ridges and upper slopes of the Cerros del Sira. It primarily uses the canopy and subcanopy, frequenting fruiting trees and forest edges with mature, tall-growth structure. Occurrence is patchy and tied to intact primary forest, though it may occasionally use well-forested secondary growth. Because of its small range, suitable habitat within its elevation band is crucial for the species’ persistence.
Altitude Range
1100–1700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Sira barbet is a recently described New World barbet discovered in 2012 and named to honor ornithologist John W. Fitzpatrick. It is confined to the remote Cerros del Sira massif in east-central Peru. Like other barbets, it nests in cavities it excavates in decaying wood and plays an important role in seed dispersal through its fruit-heavy diet.
Temperament
secretive but active
Flight Pattern
undulating with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly, in pairs, or small family groups in the canopy. Pairs maintain territories and may duet. Like other barbets, both sexes excavate nest cavities in soft or decaying wood and share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are simple, a series of hollow, resonant notes delivered in even tempo. Pairs sometimes give coordinated sequences that sound like soft, repetitive ‘pup’ or ‘hoot’ notes carrying through the forest.
