White-chinned Jacamar

Overview

The white-chinned jacamar (Galbula tombacea) is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae, found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although it is rare to uncommon in most areas and faces threats from deforestation.

Identification

• Measures 19 to 23.5 cm in length and weighs 21.5 to 25 g, with a small white chin spot distinguishing the nominate subspecies.
• The nominate male features an ash-brown crown, dark metallic bronzy-green upper parts, a glittering green throat and chest, and a reddish chestnut belly and vent area.
• The female has a paler, ochraceous belly, while the G. t. mentalis subspecies exhibits a larger white chin spot and coppery bronze upper parts.
• Vocalisations include a song described as an accelerating and rising series of "pee-pee-pee-pee-pe-pe-pe-pe'pe'pe'pe'e'e'" notes ending in a trill, alongside calls such as "keelip" or "peeup".

Habitat

This species inhabits shrubby borders and openings in terra firme, várzea, and gallery forest, ranging up to 1,200 m in elevation. The nominate subspecies occurs east of the Andes from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru into western Brazil, while G. t. mentalis is found further east along the Solimões River.

Diet

Although its diet is assumed to include a variety of insects, only Hymenoptera have been formally recorded. It forages by perching alone or in pairs on exposed branches to sally out and catch flying prey.

Did you know?

Despite being widespread and present in several protected areas, the white-chinned jacamar remains rare to uncommon in most of its range, with deforestation continuing to reduce its population size.