Bronzy Jacamar

Overview

The bronzy jacamar (Galbula leucogastra) is a monotypic species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although it appears to be uncommon in most of its range.

Identification

• Males feature a dark metallic greenish blue crown and face, with the rest of the upper parts and breast displaying a metallic bronzy green, sometimes with a slight purple gloss.
• The bird has a black chin and a white throat and belly that appears speckled with black; females differ by having dark gray faces and buff or yellowish throats and bellies.
• Size ranges from 19 to 22 cm in length with a weight between 15 and 18 g.
• Vocalisations include ascending and accelerating whistling notes ending in a trill, or a repeated "weeee, weep-pip-pweeeeee" sequence.

Habitat

The species occurs in southern Venezuela, far eastern Colombia, much of west-central Brazil, far northern Bolivia, and far southeastern Peru, with unverified reports from other locations. It inhabits edges and clearings of primary and secondary terra firme and várzea forests, white-sand campinarana, wooded savannas, and marshes, often along streams and rivers up to 900 m elevation.

Diet

The bronzy jacamar feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, though it may consume fewer Lepidoptera and Odonata than other Galbula species. It forages by perching on exposed branches between 2 and 10 m high and sallying out to catch prey, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks.

Did you know?

The species has been documented hybridising with the green-tailed jacamar in Suriname. Additionally, its breeding sites are varied, including arboreal termite nests and epiphytic bromeliads on tree trunks.