Black-streaked Puffbird

Overview

The black-streaked puffbird is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The International Ornithological Committee treats it as a monotypic species, while other taxonomies recognise three subspecies. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Length of 19 to 22 cm and weight of approximately 65 g.
• Blackish head with thin white streaks and a white spot in front of the eye; upperparts are dark brown with thin white streaks that become buffy triangles on the back.
• Throat and upper breast are ochraceous, while the lower breast, upper belly, and flanks are striped black and white.
• Bill is black, eyes are carmine with a white ring, and feet are dark.
• Song consists of a very high-pitched ascending whistle lasting under four seconds.

Habitat

This species is resident on the east slope of the Andes, ranging from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into northwestern Bolivia. It inhabits the understory of humid primary and montane forests, open woodlands, and in Bolivia also dry and semi-deciduous forests. Its elevation range extends from 500 to 2,300 m.

Diet

The bird hunts from a perch in the lower or middle strata of the forest, making sallies to capture invertebrate prey from branches and leaves. It sometimes follows army ant swarms and joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

No information on the species' breeding phenology has been published.