Notharchus hyperrhynchus (P.L.Sclater, 1856)

Taxonomic Identity

The white-necked puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus (P.L.Sclater, 1856)) is about 25 cm (9.8 in) long and weighs 81 to 106 g (2.9 to 3.7 oz).

Size and Weight

Its plumage is mostly glossy black. It has a broad white forehead, throat, upper breast, and most of its belly.

Plumage Overview

A broad black band separates the upper breast from the belly, and a black stripe runs from the beak through the dark red eye to the crown. The white coloration of the throat extends as a fairly broad line around the nape.

Head and Neck Markings

The lower flanks have black and white barring, and the tail is black with narrow white feather tips. Its very large bill and feet are both black.

Soft Part and Tail Features

The species' two subspecies differ only in bill length; the bill of N. h. paraensis is exceptionally long.

Subspecies Bill Variation

The nominate subspecies has three distinct geographically separated populations: one ranges from southern Mexico through Central America into northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela; one occurs in southwestern Colombia and western Ecuador; and one inhabits central Colombia, eastern Ecuador and Peru, northern Bolivia, and eastern Venezuela, extending south and east into most of Amazonian Brazil.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

N. h. paraensis is found only in the Amazon River valley of the Brazilian state of Pará, east of the Tapajós River.

N. h. paraensis Distribution

The species lives in a wide variety of landscapes. It occurs mostly in semi-open environments including secondary forest, primary forest edges, open woodlands, savanna, and clearings.

General Habitat Types

It can also be found in the interior of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and terra firme forest; on the landward side of mangrove forest; and in plantations. It can be found at all forest levels from the ground up to the canopy.

Forest Habitat Use

In elevation, its range mostly extends from sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).