Strikingly marked miniature barbet. Adults have a red patch above the bill, but immatures lack this. Found in woodland and savanna, as well as in forest in the southern part of the range. Most common call is a monotonously repeated “took” call that is sometimes given hundreds of times consecutively. Also gives a higher 2- or 3-part call and a fast trill. Adults easily separated from Yellow-fronted Barbet by the bright red front. Immatures are tricky; immature Red-fronted is slightly smaller and darker-backed.