Green-tailed Jacamar

Overview

The green-tailed jacamar (Galbula galbula) is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae, native to parts of northern and central South America. It is a small, colourful passerine that inhabits forest borders and open woodland across several countries, and is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Size: 18 to 22 cm long and weighing between 18 and 29 g.
• Plumage: The male has metallic coppery green head and upperparts with a bluish face, bluish green tail, white throat, and reddish chestnut belly and vent; the female is similar but with a buff throat and duller, paler underparts.
• Song: An accelerating “peeo peeo peea pee-pee-pee-pee-pe-pe-pe-e-e-e-e’ e’e’e’” ending in a trill; calls are a repeated “peep” or “peer.”

Habitat

Found from eastern Colombia through southern and eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and south in Brazil to the lower Madeira and Tapajós Rivers. It occupies the borders—not the interior—of terra firme, várzea, gallery, and mangrove forests, preferring open woodland, savanna, and shrublands, especially along watercourses, from sea level to 700 m.

Diet

Eats a wide variety of insects, with Hymenoptera predominating. It perches on exposed branches, often in pairs, and sallies out to catch flying prey.

Did you know?

It excavates burrows in earth banks or arboreal termite nests for breeding, with documented breeding seasons stretching from February to September across its range.