Rufous-tailed Jacamar

The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is a jewel-like bird of Neotropical woodland edges, easily recognized by its slender build, long straight bill, and glittering metallic green upperparts contrasting with rich rufous-orange underparts and tail. Males show a crisp white throat patch, while females have a buffier throat. Its shape and iridescence give it a superficial resemblance to an oversized hummingbird or a giant bee-eater relative, though jacamars form their own family, Galbulidae.

It is among the most widespread and frequently seen jacamars, often perched conspicuously on an open twig watching for passing insects.

Key field marks

• Long, thin, straight black bill.
• Iridescent bronze-green upperparts and long tail.
• Rufous-orange underparts and undertail.
• White throat patch (more contrasting in males).

Similar species

Great Jacamar is larger and heavier-billed with a slightly curved bill and lacks the extensive rufous tail contrast. Other jacamars in the genus Galbula are more geographically restricted; the Rufous-tailed Jacamar's wide range and edge habitat make it the jacamar most likely to be encountered.

Rufous-tailed Jacamars favor forest edges, clearings, second growth, riverbanks, and shrubby areas near woodland rather than deep forest interior. The species ranges from Mexico through Central America and across much of South America east of the Andes to Argentina, plus Trinidad. It is a non-migratory resident throughout its range.

Voice

A thin, high, piercing series of notes, often given from an exposed perch; pairs may duet with excited, sharp calls.

Feeding

A classic aerial sallier, it perches upright on an open branch and darts out to snatch flying insects — especially butterflies and dragonflies — in mid-air, returning to the same or a nearby perch to beat the prey against the branch before swallowing it, a technique that removes wings and hard body parts.

Nesting and breeding

Pairs excavate a burrow nest in an earthen bank, termite mound, or occasionally a level patch of ground, in which eggs are laid at the end of a tunnel. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties.