Buffy Tuftedcheek

Overview

The buffy tuftedcheek (Pseudocolaptes lawrencii), also known as Lawrence's tuftedcheek, is a passerine bird in the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is a resident species found in Costa Rica and Panama and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• 20 to 21 cm in length with a pale golden tawny tuft of feathers that flares on the side of the neck.
• Upperparts are rufescent-brown with a faint blackish scallop pattern, while the rump, uppertail coverts, and tail are bright chestnut rufous.
• Bill is longer in females than males; maxilla is black to dark brown and mandible is usually paler.
• Song consists of well-spaced staccato notes followed by a liquid gurgling trill, described as "peek...peek...prrreeee-e-e-e".

Habitat

Found from the central part of Costa Rica's Central Highlands south into western Panama as far as Veraguas Province. It inhabits humid montane evergreen forest, favouring somewhat open tracts, the edges of denser tracts, and clearings with scattered trees between 1,550 m and timberline at about 3,000 m.

Diet

The diet consists mostly of a wide variety of arthropods, but also includes small amphibians. It forages by clambering along branches from the forest's mid-level to the canopy, preferring epiphytes such as bromeliads, as well as mosses and clumps of dead leaves.

Did you know?

Although the species is believed to be monogamous, the only extensively studied nest was found to have the single egg and nestling tended by just one adult. The nestling period for this individual lasted at least 29 days.