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 →
Recent sightings of White-whiskered Puffbird in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
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Campephilus guatemalensis
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Galbula ruficauda
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Melanerpes aurifrons
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Pteroglossus torquatus
Smoky-brown Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus fumigatus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
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Lineated Woodpecker
Dryocopus lineatus
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker
Celeus castaneus
Golden-olive Woodpecker
Colaptes rubiginosus
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
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 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a White-whiskered Puffbird sighting in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, based on 181 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see White-whiskered Puffbird in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary?
January has the highest sighting rate for White-whiskered Puffbird in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in our monthly data.