Puffbirds

Colombia is home to several species of puffbirds, which belong to the family Bucconidae. These birds are known for their compact bodies, large heads, stout bills, and often conspicuous plumage patterns. Puffbirds are typically found in forested habitats, where they hunt for insects, small vertebrates, and fruits.

Appearance: Puffbirds are medium-sized birds known for their compact bodies, large heads, stout bills, and sometimes colorful or distinctive plumage patterns. They typically have short tails, strong legs, and are well adapted to perching and hunting for prey among foliage.

Habitat: Puffbirds in Colombia are primarily found in tropical and subtropical forested habitats, including primary and secondary forests, forest edges, riverine areas, and wooded savannas. They prefer areas with dense vegetation where they can hunt for insects, small vertebrates, and fruits.

Behavior: Puffbirds are often sit-and-wait predators, perching quietly and scanning their surroundings for prey. They feed on a variety of insects, small reptiles, and fruits, often catching their prey from a perch in the understory or mid-canopy of the forest. Puffbirds are generally solitary or found in pairs, and they are known for their distinctive calls and vocalizations.

Breeding: Puffbirds typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. They construct nests in cavities, holes in trees, or abandoned termite nests. Females lay a small clutch of eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young. The chicks are altricial and are dependent on their parents for food and protection.

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus
Spanish Name: Bobo de Collar

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Dry to humid forests.
Height: <1300 m

Photo: © Renato Espinosa eBird Checklist S32844630 Macaulay Library ML 41805601

Black-breasted Puffbird

Notharchus pectoralis
Spanish Name: Bobo Pechinegro

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Tropical forests and woodlands, where they can be found perched quietly.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © William Batsford eBird S32318325 Macaulay Library ML 41301631

Brown-banded Puffbird

Notharchus ordii
Spanish Name: Bobo Pechirrufo

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, forest edges, secondary growth, and in open areas with scattered trees.
Height: <200 m

Photo: © Cesar Bollatty - www.birdsofperutours.com eBird S28375013 Macaulay Library ML 25829761

Lesser Pied Puffbird

Notharchus subtectus
Spanish Name: Bobo Coronado Pequeño

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Moist lowland forests, tropical rainforests, and forest edges in regions such as the Amazon Basin and eastern Colombia.
Height: <600 m

Photo: © Roger Ahlman eBird S65091045

Great Pied Puffbird

Notharchus tectus
Spanish Name: Bobo Coronado

Size: 6.3 in | 16 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, especially along rivers and streams, and areas with dense vegetation and canopy cover.
Height: <1000 m

Photo: © Stephan LorenzeBird S143371395Macaulay Library ML 590496011

Chestnut-capped Puffbird

Cyphos macrodactylus
Spanish Name: Bobo Corbatín

Size: 6.5 in | 116.5 cm
Habitat: Near aquatic sites in secondary woodlands.
Height: < 500m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Sooty-capped Puffbird

Nystactes noenamae
Spanish Name: Bobo de Noanamá

Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Near mangroves, wet forest borders.
Height: <150 m

Photo: © Stephan Lorenz eBird S53755972 Macaulay Library ML 203226231

Spotted Puffbird

Nystactes tamatia
Spanish Name: Bobo Moteado

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, primary and secondary forests, as well as forest edges, shaded plantations, and in open wooded habitats
Height: <300 m

Photo: © Joshua Vandermeulen eBird S42412383 Macaulay Library ML 86182961

Collared Puffbird

Bucco capensis
Spanish Name: Bobo Collajero

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation.
Height: <500 m

Photo: © Rick Robinson eBird S47920776 Macaulay Library ML 111309201

Barred Puffbird

Nystalus radiatus
Spanish Name: Bobo Barrado

Size: 8.5 in | 22 cm
Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation.
Height: <1300 m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S52682341 Macaulay Library ML 262852221

Striolated Puffbird

Nystalus striolatus
Spanish Name: Bobo Estriolado

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation.
Height: 800-1800m

Photo: © Alexander Lees eBird S34180272 Macaulay Library ML 47546511

Russet-throated Puffbird

Hypnelus ruficollis
Spanish Name: Bobo Punteado

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Dry forest, mangroves, shrubs.
Height: <1200 m

Photo: © Manakin iStock/Getty Images Plus

Two-banded Puffbird

Hypnelus bicinctus
Spanish Name: Bobo de Dos Bandas

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, as well as forest edges, clearings, and areas with dense vegetation. They prefer habitats with mature trees.
Height: <700 m

Photo: © Jay McGowan eBird S9637250 Macaulay Library ML 37844191

White-chested Puffbird

Malacoptila fusca
Spanish Name: Bigotudo Pechiblanco

Size: 7 in | 18 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, including primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation with tall trees.
Height: <700 m

Photo: © Ondrej Prosicky iStock/Getty Images Plus

White-whiskered Puffbird

Melacoptila panamensis
Spanish Name: Bigotudo Dormilón

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, including lowland forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation
Height: <800 m

Photo: © neil bowman iStock/Getty Images Plus

Black-streaked Puffbird

Melacoptila fulvogularis
Spanish Name: Bigotudo Rayado

Size: 7.5 in | 19 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, including lowland forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation
Height: 600-2000 m

Photo: © Nicole Desnoyers eBird S27147878 Macaulay Library ML 82328581

Moustached Puffbird

Malacoptila mystacalis
Spanish Name: Bigotudo Canoso

Size: 8 in | 20 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, including lowland forests, forest edges, and areas with dense vegetation
Height: 800-2200 m

Photo: © Michael McCloy eBird S32898709 Macaulay Library ML 42460761

Lanceolated Monklet

Micromonacha lanceolata
Spanish Name: Bigotudo Lanceolado

Size: 5.3 in | 13.5 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, especially in the understory and lower canopy levels.
Height: 100-2100 m

Photo: © Andres Vasquez Noboa eBird S101088188 Macaulay Library ML 408235891

Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Nonnula rubecula
Spanish Name: Monjita Chica

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forests, often favoring areas with dense vegetation in lowland regions.
Height: <200 m

Brown Nunlet

Nonnula brunnea
Spanish Name: Monjita Parda

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Dense vegetation, humid lowland forests, subtropical forests, and forest edges.
Height: 200-600 m

Gray-cheeked Nunlet

Nonnula frontalis
Spanish Name: Monjita Canela

Size: 5.5 in | 14 cm
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests, preferring areas with dense vegetation and a varied mix of tree species. They are found in the understory and lower levels of the forest.
Height: <1000 m

White-faced Nunbird

Hapaloptila castanea
Spanish Name: Monjita Cariblanca

Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, where they prefer dense vegetation and a variety of tree species.
Height: 700-2600 m

Black Nunbird

Monasa atra
Spanish Name: Monja Negra

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, where they prefer dense vegetation and a variety of tree species.
Height: < 1200m

Black-fronted Nunbird

Monasa nigrifrons
Spanish Name: Monjita Piquirroja

Size: 11 in | 28 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, where they prefer dense vegetation and a variety of tree species.
Height: < 1200m

White-fronted Sunbird, Monasa morpheus, Monjita Cantora

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus
Spanish Name: Monjita Cantora

Size: 10 in | 25 cm
Habitat: Humid lowland forests, where they prefer dense vegetation and a variety of tree species.
Height: <1200 m

Yellow-billed Nunbird, Chelidoptera tenebrosa, Monjita Culiblanca

Yellow-billed Puffbird

Monasa flavirostris
Spanish Name: Monjita Piquiamarilla

Size: 9.5 in | 24 cm
Habitat: Tropical rainforests, preferring areas with dense vegetation and a diverse mix of tree species. They are found in the canopy and mid-story levels of the forest.
Height: <1400 m

Swallow-winged Puffbird

Chelidoptera tenebrosa
Spanish Name: Monjita Culiblanca

Size: 6 in | 15 cm
Habitat: Humid tropical forest, savannas and forests borders
Height: <500 m