Lanceolated Monklet

Overview

The lanceolated monklet is a small near-passerine bird belonging to the family Bucconidae. It is the only member of its genus and the only bird known by the name 'monklet'.

Identification

• Entirely warm brown upperparts with scale-like buffy markings.
• White bristles around the base of the large bill and distinct white feather tufts resembling 'whiskers'.
• Underparts mostly white with heavy black streaks, an unstreaked centre belly, and an ochre-tinted vent.
• Song consists of 1–5 high, thin, plaintive rising whistles, described as 'sewee ... sewee sewee-sewee-sewee’swee’swee'.

Habitat

Found in disjunct areas across South and Central America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru. It inhabits forest edges, clearings, small forest patches, shade coffee plantations, and lowland or montane evergreen forests, typically at mid to upper vegetation levels between 300 and 1,500 m.

Diet

This species hunts insects by perching 4 to 8 m above the ground and sallying out for prey. It also consumes berries and occasionally joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

The lanceolated monklet is the sole member of its genus and holds the unique distinction of being the only bird species called a 'monklet'.