Other Free Encyclopedias :: Animal Life Resource :: Birds Scientific Reference - Vol 3

Puffbirds: Bucconidae - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Behavior And Reproduction, White-necked Puffbird (notharchus Macrorhynchos): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, DIET, PUFFBIRDS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus macrorhynchos): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
RUFOUS-CAPPED NUNLET (Nonnula ruficapilla): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

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.

DIET

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.

PUFFBIRDS AND PEOPLE

There is no significant relationship between people and puffbirds.

PUFFED UP PUFFBIRDS

Puffbirds were given their name because of their ability to "puff up" their feathers when alarmed. The combination of their large head, short tail, and often loose feathers also gives them a "puffy" look.

CONSERVATION STATUS

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.