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Photo: © Joana De Rivero eBird S56882210 Macaulay Library ML 161786761
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Pale-headed Jacamar

Brachygalba goeringi
Jacamar Cabeciblanco
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Song

Pale-headed Jacamar

Appearance: The Pale-headed Jacamar is a small bird with a distinctive appearance. It has a pale yellow to pale orange head, a blackish crown, and a greenish body with a blackish breast band. The bill is long and slender, adapted for catching insects in flight. Overall, the Pale-headed Jacamar displays a striking combination of colors that make it easily recognizable in its habitat.
Habitat: In Colombia, the Pale-headed Jacamar is typically found in lowland tropical forests, humid woodlands, and forest edges. It prefers habitats with dense vegetation, including secondary forests and areas near water sources. These birds are known to inhabit a variety of forested ecosystems, particularly in the Amazon and Orinoco regions of Colombia.
Behavior: Pale-headed Jacamars are sit-and-wait predators, perching quietly while scanning for insects. When prey is spotted, they fly out to catch it in mid-air using their long bills. They are relatively solitary birds and are often seen perched in the lower canopy or understory of the forest.
Breeding: The breeding biology of Pale-headed Jacamars involves cavity nesting in tree holes or termite nests. They lay a small clutch of eggs, typically two or three, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the young. The nesting period and fledgling stage are critical times for the survival of the offspring.
Conservation Status: The conservation status of the Pale-headed Jacamar in Colombia is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN

Distribution

Orinoco Region: The Orinoco region, which includes areas in departments such as Meta and Vichada, is another region where the Pale-headed Jacamar is known to occur. This region features extensive savannas, gallery forests, and riverine habitats that provide suitable environments for the jacamar.

Taxonomy

The Pale-headed Jacamar (Brachygalba goeringi)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Galbuliformes
  • Family: Galbulidae
  • Genus: Brachygalba
  • Species: Brachygalba goeringi

Vocalization

Song: The Pale-headed Jacamar's song is typically a high-pitched, nasal "peepeepee" or "peeo-peeo-peeo" sound. The song is often repeated several times in quick succession and serves as a territorial marker or a way to attract a mate. This vocalization may be heard during the breeding season when males are establishing their territories or engaging in courtship behavior.
Call: The call of the Pale-headed Jacamar is a sharp and rapid "tink-tink" or "chik-chik" sound. This call is used for various purposes, including alerting other jacamars of potential threats, communicating with a mate, or maintaining contact with nearby individuals. The call is distinct and can help observers locate these birds in their habitat.
Chatter: In addition to its song and call, the Pale-headed Jacamar may also produce a chattering sound. The chatter consists of a series of rapid notes or clicks and is often heard in response to disturbances, excitement, or during interactions with conspecifics.