Barred Puffbird

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.