[3] The lemon-throated barbet as recognized by the South American Classification Committee of the American Ornithological Society (AOS), the International Ornithological Committee (IOC), and the Clements taxonomy has four subspecies: the nominate Eubucco richardsoni richardsoni, E. r. nigriceps, E. r. aurantiicollis, and E. r.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Birds of the World treats the two groups separately within its account of the lemon-throated barbet sensu lato.

[6] At various times, including as recently as 2014, aurantiicollis has been treated as a separate species called flame-throated barbet.

[6] The "flame-throated" barbet is 14.5 to 15.5 cm (5.7 to 6.1 in) long and weighs 26 to 42 g (0.92 to 1.48 oz), heavier than the two "lemon-throated" subspecies.

[6] The "lemon-throated" barbet's breeding season appears to be from April to November though it may begin in February.

[6] The IUCN treats Eubucco richardsoni and E. aurantiicollis as separate species and has assessed both as being of Least Concern.

Though their populations are unknown and are believed to be decreasing, those criteria have not reached the values needed for a more critical rating.