Jacamar

Family of birds

The jacamars are a family, Galbulidae, of near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are closely related to the puffbirds, toucans, and woodpeckers, all of which are part of the order Piciformes.

Description

Jacamars are small to medium-sized birds, ranging from 14 to 34 cm in length. They have slender bodies, long tails, and long, sharp bills. Their plumage is often iridescent, with shades of green, blue, and rufous being common. The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is a typical example, with its striking metallic green upperparts and rufous underparts.

Distribution and Habitat

Jacamars are found in the tropical regions of Central America and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. They inhabit a variety of forested environments, including rainforests, secondary forests, and forest edges. Some species are also found in more open areas with scattered trees.

Behavior

Diet

Jacamars are insectivorous, feeding primarily on flying insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, and bees. They are sit-and-wait predators, perching quietly on a branch before darting out to catch their prey in flight. Their long bills are well adapted for snatching insects from the air.

Breeding

Jacamars nest in burrows that they excavate in sandy banks or termite mounds. The female lays a clutch of 2 to 4 white eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks are altricial, meaning they are born naked and helpless, and require extensive parental care.

Species

The family Galbulidae contains 18 species in 5 genera:

• Genus Galbalcyrhynchus
• Genus Brachygalba
• Genus Jacamaralcyon
• Genus Galbula
• Genus Jacamerops

Conservation

While most jacamar species are not currently threatened, habitat destruction poses a significant risk to their populations. Deforestation in the Amazon and other tropical regions reduces the available habitat for these birds, potentially leading to declines in their numbers.

Related pages

• Puffbird
• Toucan
• Woodpecker