Moustached Puffbird

Overview

The moustached puffbird (Malacoptila mystacalis) is a species of near-passerine bird belonging to the family Bucconidae. It is one of seven species within the genus Malacoptila and is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Size: Measures 20 to 23 cm (7.9 to 9.1 in) in length with a weight of 47 to 50 g.
• Plumage: Adult males are drab brown above with white to buffy spots; adult females are grayer with heavier buff markings. Both sexes possess white 'whiskers' (tufts of feathers) and bristles at the base of the bill.
• Features: Black bill, red eyes, and silvery bluish feet. Males have rufous chins, throats, and breasts, whereas females have paler, heavily streaked breasts.
• Vocalisation: Produces a high, thin peeping call characteristic of its genus.

Habitat

This species inhabits the Andes across northern and northwestern Venezuela, Colombia, and parts of northern Ecuador. It primarily occupies the undergrowth of humid and wet forests, extending to forest edges and open woodlands, typically within 6 m of the ground between elevations of 350 and 2,100 m.

Did you know?

Despite the common name, the 'whiskers' that distinguish this species are actually tufts of feathers rather than true whiskers, and the male and female display notably different plumages, a trait unusual among puffbirds.