White-eared jacamar facts for kids
The white-eared jacamar (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis) is a colorful bird found in the forests of South America. It lives in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This bird is part of the Galbulidae family, which includes other jacamars. It is known for its unique reddish-chestnut feathers and the bright white patches near its ears.
Quick facts for kids White-eared jacamar |
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Galbalcyrhynchus
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leucotis
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Contents
Understanding the White-eared Jacamar's Family Tree
The white-eared jacamar is in the same group, or genus, called Galbalcyrhynchus, as the purus jacamar. For a while, scientists thought they were the same species. But now, they are known to be two different types of birds. The white-eared jacamar itself is a single species, meaning it does not have different subspecies.
What Does the White-eared Jacamar Look Like?
This bird is about 18 to 21 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. It weighs between 44 and 50 grams (1.6 to 1.8 ounces). It looks a bit stockier than other jacamars. It also has a strong, thick beak.
Its body is mostly a reddish-chestnut color. Its head, wings, and tail have a shiny, bronze look. The most special feature is the large white patches near its ears. Young white-eared jacamars are lighter in color. Their beaks are also shorter than adult birds.
Where the White-eared Jacamar Lives and Its Home
The white-eared jacamar lives in the upper Amazon basin. You can find it from central Colombia down through eastern Ecuador. It also lives in northeastern Peru, near the Ucayali River. Its home stretches east into western Brazil, along the Solimões River (Upper Amazon) almost to Manaus.
This bird lives in humid areas. It prefers both terra firme (dry land) and várzea (flooded) forests. It lives in both old, untouched forests and newer, growing forests. It especially likes the edges of forests, such as around open areas or along rivers. It can be found up to 500 meters (1,600 feet) high.
How the White-eared Jacamar Behaves
What the White-eared Jacamar Eats
The white-eared jacamar mainly eats insects. It especially likes Hymenoptera (like bees and wasps) and Lepidoptera (like butterflies and moths). It usually sits on branches in the middle or upper parts of trees. When it sees an insect, it flies out quickly to catch it. It hunts alone or in small groups.
White-eared Jacamar Reproduction
White-eared jacamars build their nests in termite nests. These nests are often high up in trees. In Ecuador, a nest was active in April. In Peru, a nest was active in July. Scientists also saw birds ready to breed in June in Colombia.
White-eared Jacamar Sounds and Calls
The song of the white-eared jacamar is a rising and speeding-up trill. It sounds like "trrreeeeeeerrrr-reeeerrr-reeerr-reerreerr..." You can hear an example of its song online [1]. It also makes a loud call that sounds like "kyew" or "cue" [2].
Status of the White-eared Jacamar
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the white-eared jacamar as a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. It is common in its large habitat. It also lives in several protected areas. Even with some forest loss in the Amazon, this bird seems to be doing well. This is because it likes to live in new, growing forests and at the edges of forests.
