Barred Fruiteater

The Barred Fruiteater occurs patchily along both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, favoring humid montane and cloud forests typically between 2,500 and 3,300 meters. It is generally uncommon but locally present, often seen singly or in pairs in the mid to upper canopy, where it feeds almost exclusively on fruit plucked from mossy branches. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Andean range and a stable population, though its reliance on intact forest interiors makes it sensitive to habitat degradation. Natural history observations highlight its sluggish behavior, striking barred plumage in both sexes, and faint, high-pitched vocalizations, while its breeding biology remains largely undocumented.