Purus jacamar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Purus jacamar |
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Galbalcyrhynchus
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purusianus
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The Purus jacamar (Galbalcyrhynchus purusianus) is a special type of bird that belongs to the Galbulidae family. You can find this bird in parts of Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
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About the Purus Jacamar
Birds are grouped into families and genuses based on how they are related. The Purus jacamar is in the same group, or genus, called Galbalcyrhynchus, as another bird called the white-eared jacamar. For a while, people thought they were the same species, but now we know they are different. The Purus jacamar is a unique species, meaning it doesn't have different types or subspecies.
What Does the Purus Jacamar Look Like?
The Purus jacamar is about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. It weighs around 50 grams (1.8 ounces), which is about the same as a small candy bar. This bird is a bit wider than many other jacamars and has a strong beak. Most of its body is a warm chestnut color. Its forehead, the top of its head, its wings, and its tail are a darker, shiny bronze color. Young Purus jacamars are lighter in color and have shorter beaks.
Where Does the Purus Jacamar Live?
You can find the Purus jacamar in the upper part of the Amazon Basin. This area includes eastern Peru, western Brazil, and northern Bolivia. This region is very humid, meaning it has a lot of moisture in the air. The bird lives in different kinds of forests, both old, untouched forests and newer forests that have grown back. It especially likes living near the edges of these forests, such as along rivers and curved lakes.
Purus Jacamar Behavior
What Does the Purus Jacamar Eat?
The Purus jacamar mainly eats insects. It really likes Hymenoptera, which are insects like bees and wasps. It also enjoys eating Isoptera, which are termites. The bird usually sits on branches in the middle or upper parts of the trees, either alone or in small groups. When it sees an insect, it quickly flies out to catch it.
Reproduction and Family Life
Scientists have seen Purus jacamars digging holes in termite nests high up in trees in Brazil and Peru. These holes are where they make their homes and raise their young. It seems that these birds help each other out when it comes to raising their families. For example, one nest in Peru was dug by six different birds! Groups of up to six birds have also been heard singing together, which might be a sign of their teamwork.
What Sounds Does the Purus Jacamar Make?
The sounds the Purus jacamar makes are very similar to those of the white-eared jacamar. Its song is a rising, trilling sound, like a long, soft whistle. It also makes calls that sound like loud "peeeur" whistles and a sharp "pee." You can listen to these sounds online if you want to hear them!
How Is the Purus Jacamar Doing?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the Purus jacamar and decided it is a species of "Least Concern." This means that it is not currently in danger of disappearing. While it might be rare in Peru, it is quite common in some parts of Brazil. The bird seems to be able to live even in places where humans have changed the habitat a bit. There are no known big threats to this bird right now.
