A medium-sized somewhat sluggish bird with a very colorful sharply demarcated red throat.
Meet the Black-spotted barbet
“Black Spotted Barbet” (cropped) by BWJones is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The black-spotted barbet (Capito niger) is a species measuring an average of 7.5 inches or 19 cm in length (including its tail), weighing between 48 – 58g (1.7 – oz). Their plumage is mostly black, with red, white, and yellow markings. The male has an orange-red throat and a yellow chest with brown streaks on the side of the belly.
“File:Capito niger – Black-spotted barbet (female); Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.jpg” by Hector Bottai is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
His forecrown is buff-yellow with another splash of red, and the bill is thick and stout.
The female looks very similar to the male, except she has stronger black markings on the underbelly.
“Nashville Zoo 08-21-2016 – Black-spotted Barbet 16” by David441491 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Black spotted barbets have a range centered around the Guiana Highlands and the northeast Amazon.
“File:Capito niger – Black-spotted barbet (male); Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.jpg” (cropped) by Hector Bottai is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This bird’s diet consists mainly of nectar and various fruits, but they will also take insects and spiders when given the chance.
“Black-spotted Barbet” by San Diego Shooter is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Black spotted barbets typically nest in tree hollows, usually preferring century plant stalks or abandoned woodpecker nests. They will also excavate new holes in soft wooded trees. An average clutch of 2 – 5 eggs is laid within, which are incubated by both parents for 18 days. Both parents will also feed the young once they hatch. Young become fledged after they are about 30 days old.
“Black-spotted barbet” cropped) by cuatrok77 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The IUCN has assessed the black-spotted barbet as being of Least Concern. Though its population has not been quantified, the species is uncommon to widespread in its range and occurs in several protected areas.
“Black-spotted Barbet” by San Diego Shooter is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
You can watch this bird right here in the video below: