Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis
The White-eared Jacamar, Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis, is a strikingly beautiful and somewhat enigmatic Neotropical bird, belonging to the family Galbulidae within the order Piciformes, making it a distant relative of woodpeckers and toucans. This medium-sized bird typically measures 18-20 cm (7-8 in) in length and weighs around 20-25 grams. Its plumage is predominantly a brilliant, iridescent dark green, often appearing blackish in poor light, contrasting sharply with its rich rufous underparts...
This species primarily inhabits humid lowland rainforests, particularly along rivers, forest edges, and in treefall gaps. It typically occurs at elevations from sea level up to about 900 meters.
The diet of the White-eared Jacamar consists almost exclusively of flying insects, particularly large species such as dragonflies, butterflies, bees, wasps, and beetles, caught during aerial sallies.
White-eared Jacamars are diurnal birds, often observed perching quietly for extended periods in the forest understory or canopy, typically alone or in pairs. Their primary foraging strategy involves making quick, agile sallies from a perch to snatch flying insects from the air, often returning to...
The White-eared Jacamar is endemic to the western Amazon basin, with its distribution stretching across parts of South America. It is found in southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil (specifically in the states of Amazonas and Acre). The species prim...
Least Concern
- The White-eared Jacamar is one of only two species in the genus Galbalcyrhynchus, making it quite unique even among jacamars. - Its brilliant iridescent green plumage isn't due to pigments but to microscopic feather structures that refract light, creating a shimmering, metallic effect. - Unlike...