Distribution

The White-whiskered Puffbird occurs from southeastern Mexico in northern Chiapas and eastern Tabasco south along the Atlantic slope of Central America to eastern Panama (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989, Stiles and Skutch 1989, Howell and Webb 1995). Also on the Pacific slope of Costa Rica, although "very rare" north of Carara (Stiles and Skutch 1989), and of Panama, although apparently absent from the east side of the Azuero Peninsula east to the extreme western part of Panama province (Ridgely and Gwynne 1989). Found on the Pacific slope of Colombia, Ecuador, and extreme northwestern Peru in Tumbes (Hilty and Brown 1986, Ridgely and Greenfield 2001, ten Have 2009). Also found in northern Colombia from the west side of the Gulf of Urabaá east to the middle Magdalena valley (Hilty and Brown 1986). Ranges of subspecies are listed under Geographic Variation.

The White-whiskered Puffbird primarily occurs at low elevations. In northern Central America the upper elevational limit is 750 m (Howell and Webb 1995). It occurs up to 1200 m in on the Pacific slope in Costa Rica (Stiles and Skutch 1989), although only to 900 m on the Atlantic slope (Stiles and Skutch 1989), and up to 900 m in Colombia (Hilty and Brown 1986).

Endemic to the Americas.

Generally found in thick, primary evergreen forest, tending to remain within six meters from the forest floor. The species has also been recorded in second growth forests and field edges, especially around dusk (Skutch 1948).

None reported.

No information.