[3][5] The species is endangered due to the increasing size of the city of Manaus, which is encroaching on their native habitat.

[3] The pied tamarin does not exhibit sexual dimorphism, as both males and females weigh around 500 g (18 oz) and are roughly 28–32 cm (11–13 in) in length.

"[citation needed] The pied tamarin does not have nails, but instead has claws that allow them to quickly scale trees in order to retrieve food or escape predators.

[8] Pied tamarins are omnivorous; their diet consisting of gums, saps, fruit, flowers, nectar, insects, spiders, small vertebrates and bird eggs.

[7] Due to their omnivorous diets, pied tamarins are responsible for seed dispersal and the regulation of small animal populations such as insects and amphibians.

[12] When the dominant female becomes pregnant, she usually will give birth to twins after a 120-to-195 day long gestation period.

[14] The pied tamarins' natural predators are small cats, birds of prey, and snakes.

Within the Manaus area, pied tamarins are threatened by domestic and feral cats and dogs, electrocution from power lines, and the pet trade.

[15] Additionally, rural settlement and increasing livestock agriculture continue to encroach upon and degrade the pied tamarin's remaining habitat.