Guianan Puffbird

Overview

The Guianan puffbird (Notharchus macrorhynchos) is a species of bird in the family Bucconidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the white-necked and buff-bellied puffbirds but is now recognised as a distinct, monotypic species.

Identification

• Approximately 25 cm in length with a weight ranging from 81 to 106 g.
• Glossy blue-black plumage featuring a white forehead, throat, upper breast, and belly centre, separated by a broad black band.
• Black flanks with white barring and a black tail with narrow white tips; eye colour varies from straw to red.
• Song consists of a series of whistles described as 'ui-ui-ui... wi-di-dik', accompanied by a clear nasal falling 'düür' call.

Habitat

Found in extreme eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northeastern Brazil north of the Amazon River. It inhabits primary tropical evergreen forest, semi-evergreen forest, and terra firme forest, occurring at all levels from the ground to the canopy.

Diet

This bird hunts from an open perch by sallying to catch insect prey on the wing or plucking it from vegetation. It typically returns to the same perch after a catch and beats the prey against the perch before eating it.

Did you know?

Both sexes excavate their nest cavities, usually choosing arboreal termitariums or rotting trees. While most nests are located 12 to 15 m above the ground, they have also been reported in holes in the ground or earth banks.