Spot-backed Puffbird

Nystalus maculatus

A chunky species with a strong orangish bill and collar. Males and females are dark brown overall with a heavy streaking on the crown, back, and breast. Note the piercing yellow eye. Occurs in light woodlands, savanna, plantations, and scrubby areas. The song is an undulating and far carrying “tewre-tewtewretewtewre.”

Identification

The spot-backed puffbird (Nystalus maculatus) is a species of bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in South America from northeastern Brazil to northwestern Argentina. The spot-backed puffbird has sometimes been split into two species, the Caatinga puffbird and the Chaco puffbird.

Taxonomy

Genus: Nystalus; Family: Bucconidae; Order: Piciformes.

Scientific name
Nystalus maculatus
Order
Piciformes
Family
Bucconidae
Genus
Nystalus

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pavonine Quetzal

Pavonine Quetzal

Pharomachrus pavoninus

Stocky green-and-red quetzal of lowland rainforest. Perches in the mid story of mature rainforest, where most common in upland (terra firme) areas and areas around water. Compared to trogons, is larger and chunkier, with a red bill and without a prominent eye ring. The green uppertail coverts are long, extending down the back side of the tail to just past the tail tip. Listen for its song, a repeated two note series of a breathy whistle followed by a soft note, “wheeew … tuck … wheeew … tuck …”.

Black-chested Honeyeater

Black-chested Honeyeater

Lichmera notabilis

An unmistakable, strikingly patterned songbird with a downcurved bill. Olive above, with a conspicuous white throat bordered below by a necklace of dark streaks. Rest of underparts lemon-yellow. Inhabits forest, forest edge, gardens, and scrub, where typically encountered in small groups. Confined to the island of Wetar, where no similar birds occur. Song is a short, buzzing, two-note “tzer-tzer.”

Pink-necked Green-Pigeon

Pink-necked Green-Pigeon

Treron vernans

Brightly-colored tree-dwelling pigeon. Adult male has a powder-pink neck, orange breast patch, gray-blue head, and yellow belly. Adult female is much plainer, tea-green above and brighter yellow-green below. Both sexes have striking black-and-yellow wing feathers and yellow spotting on the undertail coverts. Adaptable, and can be found in mangroves, open coastal forests, parks, gardens, and plantation edges. Primarily a lowland species, but can on occasion be found in foothills. Social, often gathering in flocks; occasionally mixes with other green-pigeons. Unlike many other pigeons, not very vocal; occasionally gives strange, alien-sounding coos.

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