The lanceolated monklet is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.
Region
Central America to western Amazonia and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs from Caribbean-slope Costa Rica and western Panama south through Colombia and Ecuador into Peru, Bolivia, and western Brazil. Favors humid lowland and foothill evergreen forest, especially along steep ravines, streams, and forest edges. Often uses dense, shaded understory and second growth near mature forest. It is patchy and local even within suitable habitat, typically in well-preserved tracts.
Altitude Range
100–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny, secretive puffbird, the lanceolated monklet often sits motionless for long periods in the shaded understory, making it easy to overlook. Its name refers to the spear-shaped (lanceolate) streaks on the underparts. It hunts like a small flycatcher, sallying from low perches to grab insects. Despite its wide range from Central to South America, it is very local and patchy in occurrence.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually found alone or in pairs, perching quietly at 1–5 m above ground. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks peripherally but remains inconspicuous. Nesting is thought to involve burrows or cavities in earthen banks or similar substrates, with both parents attending.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a soft, high, thin series of clear whistles, given at measured intervals from concealed perches. Calls include sharp, delicate tseet notes. Song carries poorly and can be easily masked by stream noise.
Plumage
Small, short-tailed puffbird with warm brown upperparts and buff underparts heavily marked with dark lanceolate streaks; throat paler. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy, giving a rounded, big-headed look.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, taken by sallying from low, shaded perches. It gleans prey from foliage and occasionally catches items in short aerial sorties. May take small spiders and similar invertebrates; fruit intake is rare or incidental.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the dim understory of humid forest, along stream corridors, and at forest edges with dense cover. Often selects perches near open gaps within otherwise thick vegetation to launch sallies.
