The black-streaked puffbird is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Eastern slopes of the Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs on the eastern Andean foothills from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into northern Bolivia. It inhabits humid evergreen and foothill forests, including edges and secondary growth with mature trees. The species prefers midstory to lower canopy perches in shaded interiors and along forest gaps. It is most often found near steep banks, ravines, and stream corridors where it may also nest.
Altitude Range
300–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-streaked puffbird is a quiet, unobtrusive sit-and-wait predator of humid Andean foothill forests. It often perches motionless in the midstory and sallies to snatch large insects and small vertebrates. Like other puffbirds, it nests in burrows excavated in earthen banks or steep slopes. Its heavily streaked underparts and warm buffy throat help distinguish it from similar species.
Temperament
solitary and quiet
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, perching motionless for long periods before making short foraging sallies. Pairs maintain small territories within suitable forest. Nests are typically burrows excavated by the pair in earthen banks or steep slopes, where 1–2 eggs are laid and both parents share incubation and care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, whistled phrases and mellow, descending notes delivered from a concealed perch. Calls can include low, plaintive peeps and short trills, often at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Dusky-brown upperparts with fine pale mottling; underparts buff to ochre with bold black streaking on the breast and flanks. Throat is warm buff to rufous-buff, contrasting with darker cheeks. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy, giving a puffed look typical of puffbirds.
Diet
Primarily consumes large arthropods such as beetles, orthopterans, spiders, and caterpillars. It also occasionally takes small vertebrates like lizards and frogs. Prey is usually captured by short sallies from a perch and subdued with the stout bill. Some fruit may be taken opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Forages from shaded midstory perches inside humid foothill forest and along edges. Frequently hunts near ravines, stream corridors, and clearings where flying insects are abundant.
