Monkey of the genus Cebus found in Central and South America, so called because the hairs on the head resemble the cowl of a Capuchin monk. Capuchins live in small groups, feed on fruit and insects, and have a long tail that is semiprehensile and can give support when climbing through the trees.

There are now thought to be only 800 yellow-breasted capuchins left in the wild, found only in the Atlantic forest in Bahia state, Brazil.