White-faced Nunbird

Overview

The white-faced nunbird (Hapaloptila castanea) is a species of near passerine bird in the family Bucconidae. It is the only member of its genus and is sometimes referred to as the white-face puffbird.

Identification

• Measures 23 to 25 cm in length and weighs between 75 and 84 g.
• Features a large white patch above the black bill with a narrow black upper border, and a white chin and throat contrasting with bright chestnut underparts.
• Possesses red eyes, gray legs, and dark brown upperparts.
• Vocalises with upward- or downward-inflected hoots similar to a pygmy-owl, or mournful downslurred 'wuooooo' notes interspersed with accelerating barking.

Habitat

Found on the east slope of the Andes spanning western Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northwestern and central Peru. It inhabits the interior and edges of humid to wet forest and cloudforest, frequently on steep slopes and in ravines within the midstory to subcanopy. Elevations typically range from 1,500 to 2,900 m in Colombia and Ecuador, though records exist as low as 750 m, while in Peru it is restricted to 1,800 to 2,600 m.

Diet

Primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods, though it also consumes some small vertebrates. It forages mostly in the canopy but is active at all levels and occasionally joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

Breeding pairs collaborate to dig a leaf-lined chamber at the end of a 38 cm long tunnel in an earthen bank, with both members sharing incubation and feeding duties.