Bird Guide

Gilded Barbet vs Spot-crowned Barbet

Gilded Barbet (Capito auratus)

Gilded Barbet

Capito auratus

Small57 gForest

It has a total length of c. 20 cm (8 in). Like other New World barbets, the gilded barbet is a thickset, relatively large-headed bird with a stubby bill. The upperparts, tail, wings, and mask are mainly black. The spotty bar over the greater wing coverts, narrow edging to the remiges, and tips to the tertials are yellow. Additionally, the narrow yellow eyebrows extend as two parallel lines over the mantle. The belly is mainly pale yellow with black streaking on the flanks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Christoph Moning · CC BY 4.0
Spot-crowned Barbet (Capito maculicoronatus)

Spot-crowned Barbet

Capito maculicoronatus

Small53 gForest

The spot-crowned barbet is 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 44 to 66 g (1.6 to 2.3 oz). The nominate male is mostly black above with a crown having brown-white spots. Its throat is white, its upper breast yellow to orange, and the lower breast and belly white with black spots. It has a splash of yellow to orange on the flanks. The female differs by having a black throat and upper breast. C. m. rubrilateralis has more white on its crown and its flank mark is orange to red. Voice: The spot-crowned barbet's principal vocalization is " a series of harsh "kkaaak" notes, gradually shifting to "kkkaakkk" sounds; it has been described as both a song and a call .

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Tim Lenz · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Gilded Barbet and Spot-crowned Barbet.