Puffbirds (Bucconidae)

 

The Bucconidae contain 7 genera and 32-34 species found in the Neotropics; from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, with the greatest diversity in the Amazon Basin. They inhabit humid tropical and semideciduous subtropical forests, woodlands, and savanna; often near forest edges, rivers, natural and man-made openings. Mostly in lowlands, but also up to 2,900 m. Small- to medium-sized birds (length 13-30 cm; weight 14-106 g) with large heads, hook-tipped flattened bills, rounded wings, and short tails. The plumage is soft and loose, brown, rufous or grey, sometimes with breast bands, streaked or spotted underparts. The legs are short; the feet are small and zygodactylous. Puffbirds nest in burrows excavated into the ground (e.g., banks and roadcuts), and arboreal termitaria. The clutch 2-3 eggs; incubation ca. 15 days. Both sexes incubate. The young are altricial; fledge after 20-30 days. Puffbirds are sit-and-wait predators, and make sallies from tree perches to capture insects and other arthropods, and also frogs, lizards, and small snakes; occasionally eats fruit, berries, or buds. Follow troops of monkeys, mixed bird flocks, and ant swarms.

 

		Crescent-chested Puffbird (Malacoptila striata)
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