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
Genus: Nystalus; Family: Bucconidae; Order: Piciformes.
- Scientific name
- Nystalus chacuru
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1816)
- Order
- Piciformes
- 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
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Medium-sized ambush-hunter with a long gray bill with a dark, hooked tip. Black head and face with a white nape and chin. Upperparts very pale gray, with white rump, outer part of wings black, inner part of wings white, and black tail with white tip. Rollicking, chuckling song.
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush
Catharus aurantiirostris
Small, plain-breasted thrush of tropical and subtropical woodland; mainly in foothills, but also in highlands. In winter many birds move to coastal lowlands of west Mexico. Feeds mainly on the ground, but also in fruiting bushes. Sings from low to middle level perches, usually well hidden. Unlike most thrushes, sings year-round, but less often in winter. Told from similar species by mostly to wholly orange bill, narrow orange eyering, and brighter pale legs. Song distinctive: slightly jerky and tinny.
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Small (and small-billed) shrike-tyrant of open country in the southern cone, more reminiscent of a monjita than a shrike-tyrant. Note small bill, lacking terminal hook. Breeds in northern Patagonia and the southern Monte desert, as well as the Sierra de Comenchingones in central Argentina. Disperses northward and upslope into W Paraguay and SE Bolivia during the austral winter. Prefers exposed perches in low vegetation, wires, and shrubs.
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