This bird was named in honor of Sir Francis Drummond Percy Chaplin, a former colonial governor.

It is endemic to South Central Zambia and is restricted to the area between the Upper Kafue River to Kabanga in the Kalomo District.

[1] Chaplin's barbet is a small bird species, measuring up to 19 cm (7.5 in) in length with a weight of 64–75 g (2.3–2.6 oz).

These birds are usually found in open woodland areas where figs are abundant, which is where this species prefers to gather food and nest.

When calling to each other, these barbets snap their bills loudly and emit a chorus of buzzy, grating notes like an accelerating noisy cackle.