Bluish-fronted Jacamar
Galbula cyanescens
Small, long-billed bird of forest interiors. Iridescent green with a orangish belly and dark bill. Some individuals may have white chins. Sits on vines and exposed branches and sallies for insects, sometimes around mixed-species flocks. Found in areas with dense vegetation, like vine tangles, tree fall gaps, and bamboo.
Identification
The bluish-fronted jacamar is 20 to 23 cm (7.9 to 9.1 in) long and weighs 22 to 26 g (0.78 to 0.92 oz). The male's crown, including the forehead ("front") is metallic green to bluish and the upper parts are metallic green with a bluish gloss. The chin and upper throat are blackish, the lower throat and chest green, and the rest of the underparts rufous. The female differs only in that the lower breast and belly are ochraceous.
Taxonomy
The bluish-fronted jacamar is monotypic. It and the rufous-tailed (Galbula ruficauda), white-chinned (G. tombacea), coppery-chested (G. pastazae), and green-tailed jacamars (G. galbula) are considered to form a superspecies.
- Scientific name
- Galbula cyanescens
- Authority
- Deville, 1849
- Order
- Galbuliformes
- Family
- Galbulidae
- Genus
- Galbula
Range and habitat
The bluish-fronted jacamar is found east of the Andes and south of the Amazon River, in eastern Peru, in western Brazil as far east as the Madeira River, and south into Bolivia's La Paz Department. It inhabits humid primary forest, gallery forest, and secondary forest up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation. It is typically found in mid-stage succession vegetation along the forest edges and especially along watercourses and lakesides.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The bluish-fronted jacamar's diet has not been described in detail but is believed to be many kinds of flying insects. It perches on exposed branches or in scrub and sallies from there to capture its prey. It sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks.<p>The bluish-fronted jacamar's breeding phenology has not been documented.<p>The bluish-fronted jacamar's song is rendered as "kip kip-kip-kipkikikrkrkrrr-kree-kree-kree-kip-kip-kikikrrrrreeuw" [1].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Oriolus chlorocephalus
Old World oriole with mostly yellow plumage, a dull-green hood, and a red bill. Found in forest, forest edge, lush woodland, and adjacent secondary habitats, at low and middle elevations. Song is a series of slurred, liquid whistles, and calls include a raspy, up-slurred whine. Similar to African Black-headed Oriole, but with a good view, easily separated by the green rather than black hood. Often found in the same areas as Eurasian Golden and African Golden Orioles, but distinguished by being hooded rather than yellow-headed.
Choco Toucan
Ramphastos brevis
Large black and yellow toucan with a yellow stripe on the top of the bill. Inhabits lowland and foothill rainforest west of the Andes. Similar to chestnut-mandibled races of Yellow-throated Toucan, but with black on the lower part of the bill. This can be hard to distinguish in poor light, so voice is often the best way to ID: it makes a rasping or croaking call instead of a yelp.
Somali Tit
Melaniparus thruppi
A typical tit with a black, white, and gray pattern. The black bib continues as a dark stripe down the center of the underparts. There are white edgings on much of the wing. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub, usually in pairs or small groups, and readily joins mixed flocks. Gives typical tit vocalizations including the classic “dree di-di-di” call and other whistled and chattering calls.
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