This barbet is known from Cordillera Azul in Peru. During the original description study, birds were observed taking fruit in the canopy of high-elevation cloud forest and moving in loose groups.
The crown and nape are scarlet, with a white eyebrow and black sides to the face. A broad scarlet band separates the white throat from the yellow breast and belly; females have a yellow shoulder streak.
It moves quietly through the canopy and gleans fruit from branches. The short field study recorded groups of two to seven birds and mixed-species flocks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.