Yellow-billed Jacamar
Galbula albirostris
Small, charismatic bird of lowland rainforest. Key field mark is yellow bill, easy to see even in dim light. Usually found near treefall gaps in tall forest, where pairs or small groups sit on hanging vines in the mid-story, darting out after flying insects. More likely than other small jacamars to be seen inside forest. Most common vocalization is a short, accelerating trill, trailing off at end; similar to Green-tailed Jacamar but shorter and buzzier.
Identification
The nominate yellow-billed jacamar is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 16 to 24 g (0.56 to 0.85 oz). The male's crown is glossy copper or purplish and the rest of the upper parts are emerald green. The chin is buff, the throat white, and the rest of the underparts are pale reddish cinnamon. The female has paler underparts and a reddish buff throat.<p>Subspecies G. a. chalcocephala is also 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long but a little lighter, weighing 16.9 to 22.9 g (0.60 to 0.81 oz). Compared to the nominate, its crown is bronzy purple and its back a darker bronzy green. The chin is darker and the reddish cinnamon of the underparts is richer. The male's throat is the same white but the female's is reddish cinnamon.
Taxonomy
The yellow-billed jacamar was placed in its own genus, Pslilpornis, in the early 20th century; that genus was merged into Galbula by the middle of the century. It and the blue-necked jacamar (Galbula cyanicollis) were later considered conspecific but have been treated as a superspecies since approximately 1974. The yellow-billed jacamar has two subspecies, the nominate Galbula albirostris albirostris and G. a. chalcocephala.
- Scientific name
- Galbula albirostris
- Authority
- Latham, 1790
- Order
- Galbuliformes
- Family
- Galbulidae
- Genus
- Galbula
Range and habitat
Both subspecies of yellow-billed jacamar occur east of the Andes and north of the Amazon River. The nominate subspecies is found from eastern Colombia's Meta Department through southern and eastern Venezuela into the Guianas and south into northern Brazil. G. a. chalcocephala is found along the upper Orinoco River in southern Venezuela south through southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and western Brazil to northeastern Peru.<p>The preferred habitats of the two subspecies differ somewhat. The nominate inhabits terra firme, várzea, and igapó forests, both primary and secondary. Unlike may other jacamars, it is found primarily in the forest interior rather than its edges, but does frequent openings like clearings and treefalls. It also can be found in gallery forest and sandy coastal forest. Though it has been recorded as high as 1,300 m (4,300 ft), it is usually below 900 m (3,000 ft). In general, G. a. chalcocephala has similar requirements, but in Ecuador and Peru it seems to occur only in terra firme forest. In elevation it has been recorded to 400 m (1,300 ft) in Ecuador and to 800 m (2,600 ft) in Peru.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The yellow-billed jacamar's diet is a large variety of insects. It perches on exposed branches in the canopy, typically in pairs, and sallies from there to catch its flying prey. It also joins mixed-species foraging flocks.<p>Nest burrows of the nominate yellow-billed jacamar have been recorded in arboreal termite nests, and it is assumed to burrow into earth banks as well, like most other jacamars. The nominate nests during the dry season (June to November). Nothing is known about the breeding phenology of G. a. chalcocephala.<p>The yellow-billed jacamar's song is "a high-pitched 'peea peea-pee-pee-te-t-t-e'e'e'e'e'e' or 'peea-pee-pee-te-t-t-t't't't't'ttttt'r'" ending in a rattle. Its calls are described as "a sharp 'peek', 'tew' and 'trra'", sometimes in a series.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bristle-nosed Barbet
Gymnobucco peli
Dark, chunky barbet with a conspicuous buff tuft of feathers on its forehead. Usually found in small groups on and around dead trees in rainforest, secondary growth, and plantations, often alongside Naked-faced or Gray-throated Barbets. The vocalizations include nasal “squeaky toy” calls, a dry rattle, and a series of identical hollow hoots. Very similar to Naked-faced Barbet, but has a large tuft above the bill. Also similar to Gray-throated Barbet, but has a mostly unfeathered head and a pale bill.
Black-and-buff Woodpecker
Meiglyptes jugularis
Adorably tiny and stout woodpecker. Triangular crest makes the head seem disproportionately large at a distance. Odd patchy black-and-white patterning is unique and easily recognizable. Male has a subtle reddish tinge to the bill base, but the two sexes are otherwise quite similar. Inhabits lowland to foothill forests, where it prefers open patches and edges. Forages in pairs or singly, poking about on slender branches and around leaf clusters. Gives a squeaky two-note call and a high-pitched rattling trill.
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo
Cercococcyx mechowi
A dark brownish-gray cuckoo with an unusually long tail and barred underparts. Found in the understory and at middle levels of humid forest at low and middle elevations. Shy and retiring, most easily found by voice. Very similar to Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo and best separated by voice, but also identified by darker upperparts, broader barring on the underparts, and richer rufous on the undertail. There are two main vocalizations: a quick series of three rising whistles, and a long, rapid series of whistles that slows and falls slightly toward the end. In the far western part of the range, the three whistles are slow and each one is progressively higher in pitch; elsewhere, the whistles are fast and identical.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.