Rusty-breasted Nunlet

Nonnula rubecula

Puffbirds · Galbuliformes · Rare

The Rusty-breasted Nunlet (Nonnula rubecula) is a rare puffbird found in 9 countries, weighing about 18 g. The rusty-breasted nunlet is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebratesforestcavity nest18 g

About the Rusty-breasted Nunlet

The rusty-breasted nunlet is a species of near-passerine bird in the family Bucconidae, the puffbirds, nunlets, and nunbirds. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and possibly French Guiana.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The rusty-breasted nunlet is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 17 to 20 g (0.60 to 0.71 oz). The subspecies vary in structure and color from each other. In general, the more northerly subspecies have a longer and narrower bill and a shorter tail than the more southerly ones. The nominate subspecies has what amounts to two or three color morphs. Some members of it have plain dark gray-brown upperparts and wings. Their lores are rufous and they have a whitish band from the lores that joins a white ring around the eye. Their tail is dark brown. Voice: The rusty-breasted nunlet's song is "a mewing series of 'weeip, weeip, weeip' notes (up to 20) that rise in both pitch and volume". It does not sing often.

Where it lives

When to see it

The Rusty-breasted Nunlet can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Rusty-breasted Nunlet?
The rusty-breasted nunlet is 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long and weighs 17 to 20 g (0.60 to 0.71 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Rusty-breasted Nunlet?
The Rusty-breasted Nunlet is a small sized bird weighing about 18 g.
Where can you see a Rusty-breasted Nunlet?
The Rusty-breasted Nunlet occurs in 9 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru.
What birds look similar to a Rusty-breasted Nunlet?
The Rusty-breasted Nunlet is most easily confused with the Grey-cheeked Nunlet, the Rufous-capped Nunlet and the Brown Nunlet.
Is the Rusty-breasted Nunlet endangered?
The Rusty-breasted Nunlet is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Rusty-breasted Nunlet for real

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