About Hypnelus ruficollis (Wagler, 1829)
Size and Weight
The russet-throated puffbird (Hypnelus ruficollis (Wagler, 1829)) is 20 to 22 cm (7.9 to 8.7 in) long and weighs 41 to 57 g (1.4 to 2.0 oz).
Head Markings (Nominate Subspecies)
Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dark brown crown with pale brown spots, a reddish spot just above the bill, a white patch around the eye and on the cheek, and a black patch below and behind the white patch. The nape has a narrow buffy or white collar.
Upperparts (Nominate Subspecies)
The upperparts are dull brown with grayish mottling, while the closed wing is dull brown with buffy "scales". The tail is long and dark brown, with thin pale edges on the feathers.
Underparts (Nominate Subspecies)
The chin is white, and the throat and upper breast are rich rufous. Below these, a thin white band and a wide black band stretch across the chest. The rest of the underparts are reddish buff, with black bars or spots on the flanks.
Bare Parts
The bill is black, the eye ranges from yellow to white, and the feet are black or dull green.
Subspecies H. r. decolor Features
Subspecies H. r. decolor is paler on the upperparts than the nominate, has whiter lower breast and belly, and has less dark barring on the flanks.
Subspecies H. r. coloratus Features
Compared to the nominate, H. r. coloratus has blacker cheeks, a deeper orange throat, and richer orange-buff underparts.
Subspecies Distribution
The International Ornithological Congress recognizes four subspecies of russet-throated puffbird, with the following distributions: H. r. decolor ranges from extreme northeastern Colombia into western Venezuela; H. r. ruficollis (nominate) is found in northern Colombia and western Venezuela; H. r. striaticollis occurs in Zulia and Falcón states in northwestern Venezuela; H. r. coloratus is distributed in western Venezuela south of Lake Maracaibo.
Habitat
The species lives in a range of open to semi-open landscapes, including the interior and edges of open deciduous forest, treed savanna, dense secondary forest, and arid scrub with scattered trees.
Elevation Range
It has been recorded at elevations up to 700 m (2,300 ft) in Venezuela, and up to about 1,300 m (4,300 ft) in Colombia.
Resident Status
It is thought to be a year-round resident throughout its entire range.
