The two-banded puffbird is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern Colombia and northwestern to northern Venezuela, chiefly in coastal lowlands and interior basins. Favors dry forest, thorn scrub, savanna edges, gallery woodland, and mangrove margins. Often uses semi-open country with scattered trees, hedgerows, and riparian corridors. It tolerates moderately altered landscapes as long as suitable perches and foraging openings remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Two-banded puffbirds are sit-and-wait predators that spend long periods motionless on exposed perches before sallying to snatch prey. They often nest in chambers they excavate in earthen banks or in arboreal termitaria. Their mellow, whistled calls carry far across dry woodlands, especially at dawn. They are part of the puffbird family (Bucconidae), a group of near-passerines of tropical America.
Temperament
quiet and watchful
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes family groups after breeding. Pairs maintain small territories in suitable edge habitats. Nests are typically burrows in earthen banks or chambers within termitaria, where both sexes participate in excavation and incubation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives clear, mellow whistles delivered in short series, often descending or evenly spaced notes. Calls carry well at dawn and dusk and may be exchanged antiphonally between mates.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with fine mottling, pale buffy underparts crossed by two distinct dark bands across the upper breast. Throat and collar contrasting pale, with slightly rufous tones on the throat. Feathers appear soft and slightly fluffy, typical of puffbirds.
Diet
Primarily captures large insects such as beetles, orthopterans, cicadas, and dragonflies from exposed perches. Occasionally takes small lizards or other arthropods and may snap up passing butterflies or wasps. Prey is seized by short sallies or dropped upon from above.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, open woodland, riparian margins, and fencelines with scattered perches. Often uses mid-level exposed branches 2–6 m above ground that provide clear strike zones into open spaces.
