Guianan Puffbird

The Guianan puffbird, a member of the Bucconidae family, is a striking bird approximately 25 cm in length, weighing between 81 to 106 grams. Its plumage is predominantly glossy blue-black, with a distinctive white forehead, throat, upper breast, and central belly. A conspicuous black band separates the white upper breast from the belly. The white of the throat extends around the nape in a narrow line. The bird's flanks are barred with black and white, and its tail is black with white-tipped feathers. Eye color can range from straw to red, while the large bill and feet are black.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Guianan puffbird, look for its glossy blue-black body, white forehead, and the unique pattern of white and black on the throat and upper breast. The bird's large bill and black feet are also key characteristics to note.

Habitat

The Guianan puffbird is typically found in primary tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and terra firme forests. It is an inhabitant of the forest's various strata, from the ground to the canopy.

Distribution

This species is native to South America, with its range extending across extreme eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northeastern Brazil, north of the Amazon River.

Behaviour

The Guianan puffbird is known for its hunting technique, which involves sallying from an open perch to catch insects in flight or pluck them from vegetation. It often returns to the same perch to consume its prey, which it beats against the perch before eating.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocalizations include a series of whistles that sound like 'ui-ui-ui… wi-di-dik wi-di-dik wi-di-dik…' and a clear nasal falling call that can be described as 'düür'.

Breeding

Both male and female Guianan puffbirds participate in excavating the nest cavity, which is often located in an arboreal termitarium or a rotting tree. Nests are typically found at heights ranging from 3 to 18 meters above the ground. The exact clutch size is not well documented.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Guianan puffbird as Least Concern, with a large range and a stable population estimated to include at least 50,000 mature individuals.