The Greater Crescent-chested Puffbird is a Brazilian endemic which is found in south-east Brazil from southern Bahia to Santa Catarina.

It inhabits the interior of humid forests where there are plenty of fallen leaves as well as forest edges where there is grass.

The crescent chest is sometimes not visible (see 4th photo) in a more horizontal posture which pushes the throat feathers over the chest. The upperparts are generally dark brown with buffy streaks. When seen, the white crescent on the chest is bordered below by a black band below which the belly is rufous to buffy with white in the centre.