Black-streaked Puffbird
Malacoptila fulvogularis
Elegant medium-sized bird found in the mid-story of humid montane forest. Has a large head and a chunky body, with a fluffy appearance. Dark brown, with extensive bold white streaking throughout the head and body, though its wings are only lightly streaked. Look also for its buffy tan throat and white facial crescent shown on some individuals. Found singly or in pairs, and will usually remain quite still as it is perched, occasionally sallying out to go after prey. Usually found on its own, but occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Listen for a piercing, high, slightly descending whistle.
Identification
The black-streaked puffbird is 19 to 22 cm (7.5 to 8.7 in) long and weighs about 65 g (2.3 oz). Its head is blackish with thin white streaks and a white spot in front of the eye. Its upperparts are dark brown with thin white streaks on the shoulder becoming buffy triangles on the back. The wings are brown with buffy scallops on the coverts and the tail is solid brown. The throat and upper breast are ochraceous; the lower breast, upper belly, and flanks are striped black and white; and the center of the belly is unmarked dingy whitish. The bill is black, the eye carmine with a white ring around it, and the feet dark.
Taxonomy
The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) treats the black-streaked puffbird as monotypic. However, the Clements taxonomy and BirdLife International's Handbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) assign three subspecies, the nominate M. f. fulvogularis, M. f. huilae, and M. f. substriata.
- Scientific name
- Malacoptila fulvogularis
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1854
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Bucconidae
- Genus
- Malacoptila
Range and habitat
The black-streaked puffbird is resident on the east slope of the Andes from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into northwestern Bolivia. "M. f. fulvogularis" occurs from Ecuador south. "M. f. huilae" occurs in the upper Magdalena river valley of south central Colombia. "M. f. substriata" occurs on the east slope of Colombia's Eastern Andes. The species inhabits the understory of several forest types including humid primary and montane forest and open woodland; in Bolivia it also occurs in dry and semi-deciduous forest. In elevation it ranges from 500 to 2,300 m (1,600 to 7,500 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-browed Treecreeper
Climacteris erythrops
A gray-brown treecreeper with a rusty red eyebrow and pale throat and chest. Belly strongly streaked white.Viewed from behind, gray head contrasts with browner back. (White-throated Treecreeper has a brownish head and brownish back.) In flight, shows a broad pale wing-bar. Works its way up tree trunks. Usually found in very wet eucalypt forests; overlaps in habitat with White-throated Treecreeper. Calls are more raspy and insect-like than in White-throated Treecreeper.
White-quilled Bustard
Afrotis afraoides
The male is a striking, medium-sized, mostly dark bustard with a bold white cheek patch and a reddish bill. The female has a black belly and is elsewhere finely barred. In flight it has a conspicuous white window on both the upper and lower sides of the wing. Scattered individuals, sometimes associated in small groups, inhabit arid savanna and Karoo scrub. It singscalls a strident, ratcheting “kraak-kraak-kraak” which leads into a maniacal “raa-cha-ka-ka-ka....cha-ka-ka-ka” display as the male flies around 20–30 m above the ground, with legs dangling. In flight, Black Bustard’s lack of large white wing patches separates it from the similar White-quilled Bustard.
Olive-green Tanager
Orthogonys chloricterus
Large tanager found in the canopy of montane forests and at forest borders in coastal mountain ranges. Highly gregarious; gathers in groups of up to 20 individuals and often visits feeders. Rather nondescript, olive-green above and yellowish below with a dark bill and eyes. The song is a very short and loud “sreee.”
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