White-eared Puffbird
Nystalus chacuru
A familiar species of relatively dry savanna, scrub, and forest edges announcing its presence with a loud whistled song. Notable for its strong and thick orange bill with a dark tip, and the large white cheek patch. Typically found in pairs, perching on exposed branches.
Identification
Like some other puffbirds, the white-eared puffbird is a round, plump bird with a very narrow tail. The head is relatively large, with a dark brown barred crown, and an orange, black-tipped bill. The sit-and-wait feeding strategy, for insects or opportunistic prey, may explain this body shape.<p>The bird has a medium-brown back and wings, with dark rufous speckles and bars; white and black flecked on the breast. The upper breast is white, extending to a narrow-to-medium white collar around the neck. There is a distinctive, medium-sized white ear patch, which gives the species its common name, and that is surrounded by a dark ear patch. It has a medium-sized tail in dark brown and slightly graduated, with narrow, widely spaced buffy bars, and a pale tip. It measures about 21–22 cm (8.3–8.7 in) in length and weighs between 48–64 g.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nystalus chacuru
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1816)
- Order
- Galbuliformes
- Family
- Bucconidae
- Genus
- Nystalus
Range and habitat
The white-eared puffbird can be found from eastern Peru and central Brazil south to Paraguay, Bolivia and northeastern Argentina.<p>In south-eastern Brazil, it is centered on the Cerrado region, and on the southeast Atlantic coast from northern Bahia state south to the Paraná–Santa Catarina state borders. It covers much of the eastern and northern Pantanal, and southern areas of the Caatinga.<p>The north and west parts of its range include the upstream headwaters of some Amazon Basin river systems, encompassing nearly all of northern Bolivia, the Madeira River's many headwater tributaries, and the extreme headwaters of the Tapajós River. East of the Tapajós, the range expands into the Cerrado, the upper half of the Xingu River drainage, and the entire drainage system of the Araguaia-Tocantins River (the eastward system, generally considered part of the Amazon Basin).<p>In Peru, the species is rare but local, found on the very western border region of Bolivia and in some localities in north-central Peru. In this region, it favors the dry forests and scrub found in parts of the Valleys of Mantaro, Apurimac and Urubamba at altitudes between 1000 and 2200 m. It was also recorded in the Mayo Valley.<p>Another second locale is mid-river on the downstream Madeira River in southern Amazon Basin Amazonas state.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Alectoris philbyi
Handsome partridge of the southwest Arabian mountains. Mostly pale gray and tan, with chestnut-and-white slashes along the sides, and a black face mask. In flight, shows dark wingtips and chestnut sides to the tail. Found in dry, rocky habitat at middle and high elevations, with a preference for bush areas. The common vocalization, given mainly early and late in the day, is an emphatic series of “chuk-chek-chuk” calls. Also gives clucking calls, especially when flushed. Similar to Arabian Partridge, but distinguished by the black face mask, and when in flight, by the chestnut in the tail.
Erckel's Spurfowl
Pternistis erckelii
A pheasant-sized game bird with a chestnut crown, white throat, and white streaks above and below. Males are larger than females. Occurs in grasslands, shrubby areas, and gullies, usually in uplands. Prefers wetter areas than Gray and Black Francolins. Call is a loud series of laughing “er-er-er” notes descending in pitch toward the end. Introduced to Hawaii where it is common on Kauai, Lanai, and Hawaii and local on Oahu and Maui.
Togo Paradise-Whydah
Vidua togoensis
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Yellow-winged Pytilias. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular and bizarre, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are mostly black with a rufous breast, a yellow back of the neck, and a long, narrow tail. Non-breeding male and female plumages are poorly known, but show a streaky brownish back and pale underparts. Generally scarce and local in savanna and cultivated areas. Breeding male similar to other paradise-whydahs, but has a longer and narrower tail. Separation of non-breeding male and female from other paradise-whydahs is poorly understood. Not very vocal, but does mimic Yellow-winged Pytilia vocalizations, which include simple, nasal “teew” notes.
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