[2] It is closely related to the brown-banded puffbird (N. ordii) and some authors have proposed that they form a superspecies.

It is usually found in the canopy, but will descend to the forest floor to pursue prey flushed by army ant swarms.

[4] The black-breasted puffbird hunts from a perch by diving on its prey and will also follow army ant swarms.

It takes a range of prey species, including centipedes and millipedes, scorpions, spiders, cockroaches, mantises, grasshoppers, beetles, and lizards.

[1] The species is generally uncommon, but may be overlooked frequently due to its habit of remaining motionless for hours.