The spot-backed puffbird is a species of bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in South America from northeastern Brazil to northwestern Argentina. The spot-backed puffbird has sometimes been split into two species, the Caatinga puffbird and the Chaco puffbird.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern Brazil (Caatinga and Cerrado regions) south and west through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and into northwestern Argentina, with outliers in adjacent parts of western Brazil. Prefers open to semi-open habitats such as dry woodland, Chaco scrub, savanna edges, secondary growth, and gallery forest margins. Often uses scattered trees or fence lines as hunting perches. Tolerant of some habitat modification, and can persist in patchy mosaics of brush and farmland.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The spot-backed puffbird is a sit-and-wait predator that launches short sallies from exposed perches to snatch large insects. It inhabits dry forests, savannas, and scrub, and its taxonomy has been debated, with some authorities splitting it into Caatinga and Chaco puffbirds. It nests in burrows excavated in earthen banks or flat ground, an unusual strategy among perching birds.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining territories with frequent perch use. Pairs excavate a tunnel nest in an earthen bank or flat ground, where they lay a small clutch. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick provisioning. Courtship includes mutual calling and perch displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of clear whistled notes, often accelerating or slightly descending in pitch. Vocalizations carry well at dawn and dusk and may be given antiphonally by pairs.
