Nest, eggs and nestlings of Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus maculatus from Maranhão, north-eastern Brazil

Spot-backed Puffbird Nystalus maculatus is widely distributed across eastern South America but its breeding biology is poorly known. We present the first detailed observations on the nest, eggs, nestlings and their development, made in Maranhão, Brazil. Nests are tunnel-shaped, averaging 7.0 ± 1.0 cm wide and 111.0 ± 26.8 cm long (n = 11), excavated in sandy soil in sloping terrain, ending in an egg chamber. Clutches comprise 2–4 unmarked white eggs, mean 25.36 ± 12.36 × 20.82 ± 10.17 mm, mass 5.55 ± 2.74 g (n = 7). Nestlings hatch naked with closed eyes and the nestling period occupies 21–22 days. Nest predators included Crab-eating Fox Cerdocyon thous, domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris and Common Tegu Salvator merianae.