Quick answer
Uakaris feed on mostly seeds and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Flooded Amazon rainforest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Uakaris feed on mostly seeds and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Flooded Amazon rainforest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Uakari diet overview
Uakaris (Cacajao calvus) are best summarised as Omnivore (mostly seeds and fruit). Anatomy and habitat (Flooded Amazon rainforest) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How uakaris find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Uakari role in the food web
As consumers in their food web, uakaris move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild uakaris. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
That unmistakable red face
The bald uakari's hairless face can be vivid scarlet. The color comes from blood vessels close to the skin and reflects an individual's health; a pale face can signal illness such as malaria, so a bright red face is attractive to mates.
Life in the treetops
Uakaris are highly social, living in troops that can number dozens of animals high in the canopy. Despite a short tail unusual for a New World monkey, they are powerful climbers and impressive leapers, crossing wide gaps between trees.
Sources
Uakari FAQs
What do uakaris eat?
Uakaris feed on mostly seeds and fruit, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Flooded Amazon rainforest. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the uakari?
Cacajao calvus — used in research and conservation listings for uakaris.
Where do uakaris live?
They are associated with Flooded Amazon rainforest. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of uakaris?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.