Puffbirds: Bucconidae

Puffbirds range from southern Mexico in Central America to northern Argentina and Paraguay in South America. They are not found on any islands off the coasts of these countries.

Because puffbirds are difficult to locate, little is known about their eating habits. It is believed that they eat mostly insects. Most species also eat arthropods (invertebrate animals with jointed limbs), along with small frogs, lizards, and snakes. Some species eat small amounts of fruits, berries, and buds, but mostly only in species that live at high elevations. They hunt for food only within the trees, going up to 65 feet (20 meters) to catch prey.

There is no significant relationship between people and puffbirds.

One species, the sooty-capped puffbird, is listed as Near Threatened, in danger of becoming threatened with extinction. Generally, all puffbird populations are declining throughout South and Central America mostly because their forested areas are growing smaller.