White-whiskered Puffbird
Malacoptila panamensis
Silhouette: Matt Wilkins (Photo by Len Blumin) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPiciformes (Woodpeckers and Allies)
- FamilyBucconidae (Puffbirds)
- GenusMalacoptila (Streaked Puffbirds)
- SpeciesMalacoptila panamensis (White-whiskered Puffbird)
About the White-whiskered Puffbird
The white-whiskered puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis), also called the white-whiskered soft-wing or brown puffbird, is a near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found from southeastern Mexico through Central America (except El Salvador), Colombia, and Ecuador into Peru.
The white-whiskered puffbird has these four subspecies: M. p. inornata du Bus de Gisignies (1847) M. p. panamensis Lafresnaye (1847) M. p. magdalenae Todd (1943) M. p. poliopsis Sclater (1862) It is thought to form a superspecies with the moustached puffbird (M. mystacalis) and black-streaked puffbird (M. fulvogularis).
The white-whiskered puffbird is about 18 cm (7.1 in) long with an average weight of about 43 g (1.5 oz). Unlike most puffbirds, the male and female have different plumages. Both sexes have bristles around the base of the large bill, and white "whiskers", which are actually tufts of feathers. The nominate adult male's upperparts are brown to chestnut brown. The forecrown has narrow buff or tawny streaks and most of the rest of the upperparts have buff or tawny spots. The tail is chesnut brown. Its lores... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Chagres National Park
Black-breasted Puffbird
Notharchus pectoralis
White-necked Puffbird
Notharchus hyperrhynchus
Pied Puffbird
Notharchus tectus
Barred Puffbird
Nystalus radiatus
White-fronted Nunbird
Monasa morphoeus
Keel-billed Toucan
Ramphastos sulfuratus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
Melanerpes pucherani
Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker
Piculus callopterus
Red-crowned Woodpecker
Melanerpes rubricapillus
Black-mandibled Toucan
Ramphastos ambiguus
Lineated Woodpecker
Dryocopus lineatus
Yellow-eared Toucanet
Selenidera spectabilis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a White-whiskered Puffbird in Chagres National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White-whiskered Puffbird sighting in Chagres National Park, based on 187 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-whiskered Puffbird in Chagres National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for White-whiskered Puffbird in Chagres National Park in our monthly data.