The grey-cheeked nunlet is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Colombia and Panama.
Region
Chocó–Darién (Panama and western Colombia)
Typical Environment
Occurs in the humid lowland forests of eastern Panama (Darién) and western Colombia, especially within the Chocó bioregion. It favors dense understory and forest edge within primary and tall secondary rainforest. The species is most often encountered near streams or in thickets where it can perch unobtrusively a few meters above ground. It avoids open areas and heavily degraded habitats, relying on continuous canopy and shaded understory.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The grey-cheeked nunlet is a small puffbird that sits quietly in the shaded forest understory, often going unnoticed until it gives a soft, whistled call. Like other puffbirds, it hunts by sallying from low perches to snatch insects. It is typically found in pairs and is closely tied to intact lowland humid forests. Nesting is believed to occur in tunnels excavated in earthen banks or arboreal termite nests.
Temperament
quiet, unobtrusive, and sedentary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats in brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories within dense understory. Pairs often perch close together and make short foraging sallies. Nesting is thought to involve excavating a tunnel in an earthen bank or termite mound, where both adults participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft, mellow whistles and short trills, often delivered from a concealed perch. Vocalizations are low-volume but carry in still forest conditions and may be exchanged antiphonally between pair members.
Plumage
Compact puffbird with warm brown upperparts and rich rufous-cinnamon underparts, contrasted by distinctive slate-grey cheeks and face sides. Feathers appear smooth and plush, giving a neat, rounded look. The throat can be slightly paler, and the underparts are uniform without heavy streaking.
Diet
Primarily feeds on arthropods such as beetles, orthopterans, ants, and spiders. It hunts by sit-and-wait, scanning from a low perch and then darting out to seize prey on foliage or the ground. Occasionally it may take small vertebrates if encountered, but insects dominate the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory and along forest edges near clearings or streams. Often selects perches 1–4 meters above ground where cover is dense, enabling stealthy ambushes.
