Eastern Striolated Puffbird

Overview

The Nystalus striolatus is a small passerine bird belonging to the family Bucconidae, native to South America. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is found across parts of Bolivia and Brazil.

Identification

• Length of approximately 20 cm with a weight between 43 and 47 g.
• Dark brown crown featuring wide rufous bars and a broad buffy collar on the hindneck.
• Upperparts are dark brown with reddish buff spots and bars, while the lowerparts include an ochraceous throat with fine blackish streaks and a white, unstreaked belly centre.
• Song described as a soft, sad whistle: 'whip, whiwheeu, wheeeeeuu,' with a distinctive cadence.

Habitat

The species inhabits edges of humid tropical, terra firme, and swamp forests, as well as transitional forest areas. It is typically found near water or clearings and tends to remain in the subcanopy or canopy. Its range includes the south central Amazon Basin in Brazil and extreme northeastern Bolivia, with one subspecies found in northeastern Amazonian Brazil.

Diet

The specific foraging behavior and diet of the eastern striolated puffbird have not been documented. However, members of its genus typically hunt by sallying from a perch to pluck large insects and small vertebrates from foliage or bark.

Did you know?

Although its specific breeding phenology is undescribed, other members of its genus are known to nest in earthen tunnels. The bird was formerly part of a larger taxon before the 'western striolated puffbird' was split from the group in a process highlighted for its high drama in taxonomic debates.