Blue-necked Jacamar

Overview

The blue-necked jacamar is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. It is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is generally common across its range, though it relies heavily on intact forest understorey.

Identification

• Males have shiny green upperparts and chestnut underparts, while females are duller with tawny buff underparts.
• The face features a steely blue to green colouration that transitions on an east to west gradient.
• Measures between 19 and 22 cm in length and weighs 21 to 26 g.

Habitat

This species inhabits the interior of terra firme and várzea forests, as well as gallery forest in the cerrado of Brazil. It is found east of the Andes and south of the Amazon River in eastern Peru, far northern Bolivia, and parts of Brazil, ranging in elevation up to 900 m.

Diet

The blue-necked jacamar feeds on a large variety of insects. It forages by perching on exposed branches and sallies out from there to catch its flying prey.

Did you know?

Nest burrows of this species have been discovered within arboreal termite nests, where broods consist of two eggs.