Puffbirds (Bucconidae)

Russet-throated Puffbird (Hypnelus ruficollis) - HBW 7, p. 131

French: Tamatia à gorge rousse German: Rostkehl-Faulvogel Spanish: Buco Bobito

Taxonomy: Capito ruficollis Wagler, 1829, Mexico; error = Santa Marta, Colombia.
Forms a superspecies with H. bicinctus, and often considered conspecific owing to hybridization in Maracaibo region of Venezuela and in Catatumbo lowlands of Colombia; however, hybridization apparently rather limited, with most individuals belonging clearly to one or the other of these well-distinguished forms, and treatment as separate species seems the most realistic approach, pending in-depth studies. Proposed race striaticollis (NW Venezuela) may form part of a cline and herein included in decolor, but further study required. Three subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: