Yellow-billed Jacamar

Overview

The yellow-billed jacamar, Galbula albirostris, is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it is presumably sensitive to deforestation and habitat destruction. The species comprises two subspecies: the nominate G. a. albirostris and G. a. chalcocephala.

Identification

• Males have a glossy copper or purplish crown with emerald green upper parts, while females possess paler underparts and a reddish buff throat.
• The nominate subspecies measures 18 to 21 cm in length and weighs between 16 and 24 g, whereas the chalcocephala subspecies is slightly lighter with a bronze-purple crown and darker bronze-green back.
• The song is described as a high-pitched 'peea peea-pee-pee-te-t-t-e'e'e'e'e'e' ending in a rattle, accompanied by sharp calls such as 'peek', 'tew', and 'trra'.

Habitat

Found east of the Andes and north of the Amazon River across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, the species primarily inhabits the forest interior of terra firme, várzea, and igapó forests. While it can reach elevations of 1,300 m, it is usually found below 900 m, and the chalcocephala subspecies in Ecuador and Peru is restricted to terra firme forest.

Diet

The yellow-billed jacamar feeds on a large variety of insects by perching on exposed canopy branches, typically in pairs, and sallies out to catch flying prey. It also participates in mixed-species foraging flocks.

Did you know?

Nest burrows of the nominate subspecies have been recorded inside arboreal termite nests, in addition to the earth banks used by most other jacamars.