Notharchus ordii
The Brown-banded Puffbird, Notharchus ordii, is a striking member of the Bucconidae family, an avian group often referred to as 'puffbirds' due to their loose, fluffy plumage. This medium-sized, stocky bird measures about 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in) in length and weighs 43-55 g, characterized by a disproportionately large head. Its most distinctive field mark is a prominent, broad rufous-brown breast band contrasting sharply with a white belly, a black cap extending to the eye, and a clean white th...
Found primarily in lowland humid tropical and subtropical forests, often frequenting forest edges, clearings, and areas near water, typically at elevations below 500 meters.
Feeds primarily on large insects such as cicadas, grasshoppers, beetles, and moths, with occasional small vertebrates like lizards or frogs, all captured by sallying from a perch.
The Brown-banded Puffbird is a quintessential 'sit-and-wait' predator, often perching motionless for extended periods on exposed dead branches or high canopy perches, making it incredibly challenging to spot despite its size. This diurnal species relies heavily on its cryptic plumage and stillnes...
The Brown-banded Puffbird is a resident species distributed throughout the western Amazon basin, with its primary range extending across southeast Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and significant portions of western and central Brazil. In Brazil, it can be found across t...
Least Concern
- The family name 'Bucconidae' comes from the Latin 'bucco', meaning 'puffed cheeks', referring to their loose, fluffy plumage that gives them a characteristic 'puffed' appearance. - It is often called a 'neotropical bird of stillness' due to its remarkable ability to sit motionless for extended ...