A bird heard by many but seen by few, the Buff-spotted flufftail is a small and extremely secretive resident of forest undergrowth around St Lucia.
They inhabit dense, gloomy tangles and undergrowth on the forest floor where they skulk carefully and nervously, making them extremely difficult to see.
In late Spring and early summer the peculiar territorial advertising calls of male Buff-spotted flufftail can be heard early morning, late afternoon (especially rainy, overcast days) and at night. The mournful call produced by this tiny bird can carry over 1km through the forest and is produced in an almost frog-like fashion as the throat of the male becomes engorged with air before blowing it out like a fog-horn. To try and trace the source of the sound can be pretty confusing thanks to the ventriloquial abilities of the Buff-spotted flufftail to ‘throw’ the sound. Besides the commonly heard advertising call, these amazing little birds have at least 119 other known vocalizations!
In late Spring and early summer the peculiar territorial advertising calls of male Buff-spotted flufftail can be heard early morning, late afternoon (especially rainy, overcast days) and at night. The mournful call produced by this tiny bird can carry over 1km through the forest and is produced in an almost frog-like fashion as the throat of the male becomes engorged with air before blowing it out like a fog-horn. To try and trace the source of the sound can be pretty confusing thanks to the ventriloquial abilities of the Buff-spotted flufftail to ‘throw’ the sound. Besides the commonly heard advertising call, these amazing little birds have at least 119 other known vocalizations!
Pairs are monogomous and both participate in the rearing of young. Chicks leave the nest already after just one to 2 days and are thereafter are cared for and protected by both adults.
Although difficult to find, luckily these little birds are creatures of habit and knowing their 'routines' helps in finding them!