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Photo: © Ornitología IAvH eBird S44630203 Macaulay Library ML 94807101
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Brown Jacamar

Brachygalba lugubris
Jacamar Lúgubre
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Song

Brown Jacamar

Appearance: The Brown Jacamar has an appearance characterized by brown plumage on its upperparts and a lighter, paler underside. It has a relatively short tail, a long and straight bill, and a compact body structure. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males and females often displaying subtle differences in plumage coloration.
Habitat: Brown Jacamars inhabit tropical lowland forests, where they prefer dense vegetation near streams, rivers, or swampy areas. They are typically found in the understory or mid-story of the forest.
Behavior: Brown Jacamars are sit-and-wait predators, perching quietly on branches and watching for insects. When prey is spotted, they fly out to catch it with a quick and agile movement. They are usually solitary or found in pairs.
Breeding: Breeding habits of Brown Jacamars involve excavating burrows in earthen banks, typically near water bodies. The female lays 2-4 eggs, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties.
Conservation Status: The Brown Jacamar in Colombia is classified as of Least Concern according to the IUCN.

Distribution

Amazon Region: In Colombia's Amazon region, which encompasses the southeastern part of the country, Brown Jacamars can be encountered in the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. They inhabit areas with dense vegetation near water bodies.
Orinoquía Region: Brown Jacamars are also present in parts of the Orinoquía region in eastern Colombia. This region consists of grasslands, savannas, and gallery forests where these birds can be found perched in the understory.

Taxonomy

The Brown Jacamar (Brachygalba lugubris)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Galbuliformes
  • Family: Galbulidae
  • Genus: Brachygalba
  • Species: Brachygalba lugubris

Vocalization

Song: The Brown Jacamar's song is described as a soft, high-pitched trill or a series of repeated notes. It is a simple and often brief vocalization that the bird uses to communicate with its mate or to establish its territory.
Call: The call of the Brown Jacamar is a sharp, high-pitched "peek" or "peenk" sound. This call is used for various purposes, such as warning of potential threats, signaling to other jacamars in the vicinity, or during courtship and breeding activities.
Chatter: In addition to its song and call, the Brown Jacamar may also produce a chattering sound, which is a rapid series of notes or clicks. This chattering behavior can be observed in response to nearby disturbances or when the bird is excited or agitated.