White-eared Jacamar
Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
Chunky-looking bird with a small head and a larger bill than other jacamars, recalling a kingfisher. Chestnut-colored overall with a pinkish-red bill. Occurs in humid upland and seasonally flooded forests, where it is most often seen flycatching from exposed branches, often in small groups. The song is a high, whistled “péeeuh- péeeuh- péeeuh- péeeuh.”
Identification
The white-eared jacamar is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 44 to 50 g (1.6 to 1.8 oz). It is stouter than many jacamars, and has a more robust bill. It is almost entirely reddish-chestnut, with a bronzy gloss on the crown, wings, and tail. It has large white ear coverts. The juvenile is paler and its bill is shorter.
Taxonomy
The white-eared jacamar shares genus Galbalcyrhynchus with the purus jacamar (G. purusianus). They were originally treated a separate species, then as conspecific ("chestnut jacamar"), but are now understood to be separate species. The white-eared jacamar is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
- Authority
- des Murs, 1845
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Galbulidae
- Genus
- Galbalcyrhynchus
Range and habitat
The white-eared jacamar is found in the upper Amazon basin from Meta Department in central Colombia south through eastern Ecuador to the Ucayali River in northeastern Peru. It extends east into western Brazil along the Solimões (Upper Amazon) River almost to Manaus. In this humid region, it inhabits terra firme and várzea forest, both primary and secondary. It prefers edges such as around clearings and along waterways. In elevation it ranges up to 500 m (1,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white-eared jacamar preys on insects, with Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera favored. It perches at mid- to upper canopy height singly or in small groups and sallies out to capture its prey.<p>White-eared jacamar nest cavities in Ecuador and Peru were in termite nests high in trees. The Ecuador nest was active in April and that in Peru in July. Breeding condition birds were recorded in June in Colombia.<p>The white-eared jacamar's song has been described as a "rising and accelerating...trill, “trrreeeeeeerrrr-reeeerrr-reeerr-reerreerr...” [1]. It also makes a loud "kyew" or "cue" call [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-cheeked Turaco
Menelikornis leucotis
A spectacular green turaco with a bushy crest. There are two white marks on the face, though these vary geographically in size, and one subspecies also shows orange on the back of the head. Shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in montane forest and woodland. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes. Similar to Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, but easily separated by its white facial markings.
Western Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; in parts of its range the only Tyto owl present, but compare with larger and darker-winged African Grass-Owl where overlap occurs. Varies across a wide range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head. Color of the facial disc and underparts varies from pure white to rusty orange. Hunts in open areas by night, foraging with a slow and buoyant flight. Roosts in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, and nest boxes by day. Gives a bone-chilling, rising shriek, as well as shorter rasping calls.
Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Cacomantis passerinus
Rather small cuckoo of open forests and forest edge. Typical adult is gray all over. Some females are “hepatic” and are ginger-orangish with black barring on the back and on the undersides. Song is a high, fading “ki-keeeer...” often given either very early or very late in the day. Breeds in foothill and montane forests, but migratory individuals typically winter in lowlands.
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