Russet-throated puffbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Russet-throated puffbird |
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Hypnelus
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| Species: |
ruficollis
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The russet-throated puffbird (Hypnelus ruficollis) is a type of bird found in Colombia and Venezuela. It belongs to a bird family called Bucconidae, which includes puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. These birds are known for their puffy feathers and often sit still while waiting for prey.
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Meet the Russet-throated Puffbird
What Does a Russet-throated Puffbird Look Like?
This puffbird is about 20 to 22 centimeters (8 to 9 inches) long. It weighs between 41 and 57 grams (1.4 to 2 ounces). That's about the weight of a small candy bar!
Its head is dark brown with lighter spots. It has a reddish spot above its beak. Around its eyes and on its cheeks, there's a white patch. Below that, it has a black patch. A thin white or buffy collar goes around its neck.
Its back is dull brown with gray patterns. Its wings are dull brown with buffy, scale-like markings. The tail is long and dark brown with light edges.
The bird's chin is white. Its throat and upper chest are a rich reddish-orange color. Below that, it has a thin white band and a wide black band across its chest. The rest of its belly is reddish-buff with black stripes or spots on its sides.
The puffbird has a black beak and yellow or white eyes. Its feet are black or dull green.
Different Kinds of Russet-throated Puffbirds
There are a few slightly different types, called subspecies.
- One type is paler on its back. Its lower chest and belly are whiter, and it has fewer dark stripes on its sides.
- Another type has blacker cheeks and a deeper orange throat. Its belly is a richer orange-buff color.
Where Do Russet-throated Puffbirds Live?
These birds live in different open or partly open areas. You can find them in:
- Open forests with trees that lose their leaves.
- Grassy areas with scattered trees, called savannas.
- Thick, new forests that have grown after older ones were cut down.
- Dry, scrubby areas with a few trees.
They live at different heights above sea level. In Venezuela, they are found up to 700 meters (2,300 feet) high. In Colombia, they can live as high as 1,300 meters (4,300 feet). They stay in these areas all year long.
Russet-throated Puffbird Behavior
How Do Russet-throated Puffbirds Find Food?
The russet-throated puffbird is a "still-hunter." This means it sits quietly on a perch, sometimes up to 8 meters (26 feet) above the ground. It waits patiently for food.
When it spots something, it quickly flies out to catch it. It can grab prey from the ground, from plants, or from tree branches and trunks. Their diet is mostly insects. They also eat small animals like lizards and some fruits.
Life Cycle: Breeding and Nests
Russet-throated puffbirds have been seen nesting in May in Colombia. In Venezuela, they nest in August and September.
They usually dig a burrow, which is a tunnel, inside a termitarium. A termitarium is a large nest built by termites, often found on trees. Sometimes, they might use the oven-shaped nest of another bird called the pale-legged hornero. A female puffbird usually lays three eggs.
What Does a Russet-throated Puffbird Sound Like?
The song of the russet-throated puffbird is a repeating, rhythmic "woduk" sound. It starts quietly and gets louder for up to 20 seconds, then fades away. They usually sing at dawn, which is early morning. Often, both the male and female birds will sing together. They also make a "seeeeep" call.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the russet-throated puffbird as a species of "Least Concern." This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing. They have a large area where they live. Even though we don't know their exact population size, it is believed to be stable. These birds live in at least one protected area in both Colombia and Venezuela.
Images for kids
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A russet-throated puffbird perched on a branch.
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Map showing the distribution of the russet-throated puffbird.
