Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons)

Order: Galbuliformes | Family: Bucconidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

black-fronted_nunbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Tambopata, Peru

black-fronted_nunbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Tambopata, Peru

black-fronted_nunbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. San Martin, Peru

black-fronted_nunbird
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Amazonian Brazil


Identification & Behavior: ~28 cm (11 in). The Black-fronted Nunbird is dark gray nearly black with a coral red bill. It inhabits forest edges where it is often seen in family groups.  The all-black plumage and red bill distinguish this bird from the closely related White-fronted Nunbird and Yellow-billed Nunbird.

Status: The Black-fronted Nunbird is common at forest edges and second growth in Varzea forest. It ranges at elevations below 1000 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Monja de Frente Negra.

Sub-species: Black-fronted Nunbird (Monasa nigrifrons nigrifrons), Spix, 1824. Lowlands of SE Colombia to e Peru and much of Brazil.
M. n. canescens, Todd, 1937. Tropical Bolivia e of Andes and SE Peru.

Meaning of Name: Monasa: Gr. monas, monos= lonely. nigrifrons: L. negri= glossy black and frons= forehead.

See more of the Family Bucconidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
black-fronted nunbirdVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 11/09/2014.