Nystalus maculatus
The Spot-backed Puffbird (Nystalus maculatus) is a captivating member of the Bucconidae family, known for its cryptic plumage and distinctive vocalizations. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length and weighing 50-60 grams, this medium-sized bird features a stout body, a relatively large head, a short tail, and a stout, hooked bill. Its upperparts are predominantly brown, streaked with black, contrasted by a buffy-white collar and a clean white throat. The underparts are a dist...
This puffbird primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests, woodlands, savanna-like habitats, caatinga, cerrado, and the Chaco biome, generally found at elevations below 1000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of large insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles, and butterflies, occasionally supplemented with small lizards or frogs, captured via a 'sit-and-wait' ambush foraging technique.
The Spot-backed Puffbird is a largely solitary or pair-dwelling diurnal species, often perching motionless and camouflaged in dense foliage for extended periods. Its primary foraging strategy involves a 'sit-and-wait' ambush, where it sallies out from its perch to capture flying insects or glean ...
The Spot-backed Puffbird is a resident species found across a wide swath of eastern and central South America. Its distribution spans various biomes, including the dry forests, cerrado, caatinga, and Chaco regions. Two recognized subspecies exist: *Nystalus maculatus maculatus*, which is found in...
Least Concern
- Despite their name, the 'spot-backed' refers to the prominent spotting on their underparts, not their back. - They are often called 'puffbirds' because they can fluff up their feathers when startled or disturbed, giving them a rounder appearance. - Their cryptic plumage makes them incredibly di...