Malacoptila is a genus of puffbirds in the family Bucconidae, one of ten genera. The seven species are found in Central and South America
The genus Malacoptila was introduced in 1841 by the English zoologist George Robert Gray. He listed three species in the new genus but did not specify the type. In 1855 Gray designated the type as Bucco fuscus Gmelin, 1788, the white-chested puffbird. The name Malacoptila combines the Ancient Greek malakos meaning "soft" with ptilon meaning "plumage" or "feather".
Species The genus contains the following seven species:
Image Common name Scientific name DistributionWhite-chested puffbirdMalacoptila fusca Semicollared puffbirdMalacoptila semicinctaCrescent-chested puffbirdMalacoptila striataRufous-necked puffbirdMalacoptila rufaWhite-whiskered puffbirdMalacoptila panamensisBlack-streaked puffbirdMalacoptila fulvogularisMoustached puffbirdMalacoptila mystacalis
References