Russet-throated Puffbird

The russet-throated puffbird, Hypnelus ruficollis, is a member of the Bucconidae family, which includes puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. This bird is characterized by its distinctive rufous throat and upper breast, with a length ranging from 20 to 22 cm and a weight between 41 to 57 grams.

Identification Tips

Adults of the nominate subspecies boast a dark brown crown with pale brown spots and a reddish spot above the bill. A white patch encircles the eye and cheek, contrasted by a black patch below. The nape features a buffy or white collar. The upperparts are a dull brown with grayish mottling, and the wings display buffy "scales" when closed. The tail is long and dark brown with pale feather edges. Below the rufous throat lies a thin white and a broad black band across the chest, with the remainder of the underparts being reddish buff with black bars or spots on the flanks. The bill is black, eyes range from yellow to white, and the feet are black or dull green.

Habitat

The russet-throated puffbird inhabits a variety of open to semi-open landscapes, including the interiors and edges of open deciduous forests, treed savannas, dense secondary forests, and arid scrubs with scattered trees.

Distribution

This species is found in Colombia and Venezuela, with four subspecies recognized by the IOC distributed across different regions, including extreme northeastern Colombia, northern Colombia, northwestern Venezuela's Zulia and Falcón states, and western Venezuela south of Lake Maracaibo.

Behaviour

The russet-throated puffbird is a still-hunter, perching up to 8 meters above ground before sallying to capture prey on the ground, in vegetation, or on branches or trunks.

Song & Calls

Its song consists of repeated rhythmic 'woduk' notes that crescendo for up to 20 seconds before diminishing, typically sung at dawn and often by pairs. Additionally, it emits a "seeeeep" call.

Breeding

Breeding has been documented in May in Colombia and in August and September in Venezuela. The bird usually excavates a burrow in an arboreal termitarium or occasionally uses the nest of a pale-legged hornero. Clutch size is typically three eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the russet-throated puffbird is primarily composed of insects, but it also includes small vertebrates like lizards and some fruits.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has assessed the russet-throated puffbird as being of Least Concern, with a large range and a population believed to be stable. It is also present in protected areas within its range in both Colombia and Venezuela.