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
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Tachyphonus coronatus
Medium-sized tanager found in the middle to upper levels of forest edges, light woodlands, plantations, and urban parks; sometimes visits feeding stations. Males are glossy black with a concealed red crown and a white spot on the shoulder. In flight, shows white underwings. Females have a gray-brown head and are otherwise mostly cinnamon colored, paler below than above.
Flightless Cormorant
Nannopterum harrisi
Brown, aquatic bird with brilliant blue eyes. Tiny, stunted wings look almost comical and seem out-of-place on such a large bird. Endemic to Galápagos (where it is the only cormorant), and restricted to rocky coastlines of Isabela and Fernandina islands. Breeds throughout the year in small colonies. Often seen carrying large clumps of seaweed, which it uses to build its nest.
Gray-cowled Wood-Rail
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Large, brightly colored, chicken-like rail of freshwater marshes and damp woodland, less often occurs in mangroves. Unlike many rails, can be conspicuous, even bold, walking in the open along the edge of ponds and rivers, twitching its short black tail; usually seen singly or in pairs. Note long yellowish bill, hot-pink legs, and gray head and neck contrasting with orangey breast. Similar to Russet-naped Wood-Rail, but barely any range overlap, and Gray-cowled has a dull brown patch on the back of the head.
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