Its known range is restricted to the humid highland forests of the tepuis in the southeast of Venezuela and western Guyana.
The adult male has greyish-green upper parts with a distinctive long golden stripe that runs above the eye and round the ear-coverts.
The female has similar head markings, a yellowish patch at the side of the neck, and moss-green upper parts.
[3] This bird feeds on fruit in the tree canopy, sometimes visiting forest verges (at which times it is easier to observe), but more often remaining elusive in the woodland interior.
[2] Although the population size of the red-banded fruiteater is unknown, it is believed to be stable and the bird does not face any particular threats.