Rufous-necked Puffbird

Overview

The rufous-necked puffbird (Malacoptila rufa) is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae. It is found across southern Amazonia in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

Identification

• Approximately 18 cm long and weighing between 39 and 46 g, this bird is notably unstreaked, which is unusual for puffbirds.
• The nominate subspecies features a dark gray crown and cheeks with narrow pale streaks, a large rufous loral spot, and a wide rufous collar on the nape.
• Underparts are brown, darker on the breast and paler on the belly, with a white crescent and thin black border on the upper breast.
• The bill is blue-gray to black, eyes are dark brown or red, and feet are pale gray-brown to pale olive-gray.

Habitat

The rufous-necked puffbird inhabits the understory of terra firme evergreen forest across most of its range in southern Amazonia. In northeastern Peru, it appears to be restricted to várzea forest.

Diet

This bird forages by hunting from a perch several meters above the ground, sallying to capture prey from vegetation or the ground. Its diet consists mostly of insects and other invertebrates, with possible inclusion of small vertebrates.

Did you know?

The song of the rufous-necked puffbird is a long, descending musical trill that is indistinguishable from the songs of White-chested and Semicollared puffbirds.