Purplish Jacamar

Overview

The Galbula chalcothorax, or purplish jacamar, is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though it is generally uncommon and potentially threatened by habitat loss.

Identification

• Length ranges from 20 to 23 cm with a weight of 24.5 to 26.5 g.
• Males feature a blackish green crown and face with a bluish sheen, while upper parts and the breast vary from metallic reddish purple to coppery red.
• Males possess a white throat and a speckled black-and-white belly; females differ with yellow-brown or buff throats and bellies.
• Vocalisations include a rising series of 'weeee weeee wi-deee' notes that sometimes end in a trill, accompanied by a simple 'weeee' call.

Habitat

Found in the western Amazon Basin across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, the species inhabits edges, openings, and the canopy of primary and secondary terra firme forests. It also frequents woodlands on sandy soils and areas along watercourses, typically ranging up to 500 m in elevation but occasionally reaching 1,000 m in Ecuador.

Diet

Although specific dietary details are not documented, the purplish jacamar is assumed to consume a variety of flying insects. It forages by perching alone or in small groups, usually in the shrub layer, and sallies out to catch prey, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks.

Did you know?

Despite its distinct appearance, the purplish jacamar was formerly considered the same species as the bronzy jacamar, and the two now form a superspecies.