Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Barred Puffbird

Nystalus radiatus

The barred puffbird, a member of the Bucconidae family, is a bird of modest size, measuring approximately 22 cm in length and weighing around 63 grams. It boasts a distinctive plumage with a blackish crown adorned with dark rufous bars. The upper nape is a stark black, transitioning to a yellowish-red on the lower nape, and a black upper mantle. The bird's upperparts and wings are a rich dark chestnut, marked with narrow black bands. Its tail is long and chestnut-colored, also featuring narrow black bands. The chin presents a whitish hue, while the face and underparts are a pale rufous, finely barred with blackish lines, save for the belly's center. The bill varies from grayish yellow to blackish, eyes are a creamy yellow, and the feet are tinged with greenish gray. A notable "fulvidus" morph exists, displaying a deeper rufous coloration throughout.

Identification Tips

When identifying the barred puffbird, look for its long, narrow tail with black bands, the fine blackish bars on a pale rufous background on the underparts, and the distinctive yellowish-red lower nape. The creamy yellow eyes and the variation in bill color from grayish yellow to blackish can also aid in identification.

Habitat

This species is known to inhabit the lower strata of semi-open landscapes, including the fringes of humid and wet forests, streamside vegetation, clearings with scattered trees, and forest trail edges. It has also been observed perched on wires in agricultural areas within Ecuador.

Distribution

The barred puffbird is a resident bird found from central Panama through northern Colombia and into western Ecuador.

Behaviour

While specific foraging behaviors of the barred puffbird remain undocumented, it is presumed to hunt by sallying from perches, similar to other puffbirds. Its diet is known to include large insects from various orders and small lizards.

Song & calls

The song of the barred puffbird is a distinctive, slow, ventriloquial, and human-like wolf-whistle, described as 'phweeeeeet-weeeeeeuuuu'. In proximity to its nest, it emits low-pitched "werr" and "werr werr woo" calls.

Breeding

The breeding habits of the barred puffbird are not well-documented, but a single described nest was found to be a cup of dead leaves located in a spherical chamber at the end of a narrow tunnel in a clay bank, partially covered by vegetation, and containing two well-grown nestlings.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the barred puffbird as Least Concern, with an estimated population of at least 50,000 mature individuals. However, the population is believed to be in decline. The species is present in several protected areas across Colombia and Ecuador.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Barred Puffbirds on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Puffbirds

A photo of a Russet-throated Puffbird (Hypnelus ruficollis)

Russet-throated Puffbird

Hypnelus ruficollis
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.