Jacamar Colirrufo
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Galbula ruficauda
Song
Rufous-tailed Jacamar
Appearance: The Rufous-tailed Jacamar has a long, slender bill, a rufous (reddish-brown) tail, and bright metallic green plumage on its upperparts. The underparts of the Rufous-tailed Jacamar are a rich chestnut color, complementing its striking green and rufous hues. These birds have a streamlined body with a relatively short tail.
Habitat: Rufous-tailed Jacamars are typically found in tropical forests and woodlands throughout their range, including Colombia. They prefer habitats with open areas and nearby water sources, such as rivers or streams. These birds are commonly observed in the lower levels of the forest canopy, where they perch on branches while hunting for insects, their primary food source.
Behavior: Rufous-tailed Jacamars are agile flyers and skilled hunters, feeding primarily on flying insects such as beetles, butterflies, and dragonflies. They use their long bills to catch prey in mid-air or from vegetation. These birds are known for their swift and direct flight patterns, often making short sallies from perches to capture flying insects before returning to their original position.
Breeding: During the breeding season, Rufous-tailed Jacamars excavate burrows in earthen banks or termite nests to create their nests. The female lays a small clutch of eggs, which are then incubated by both parents. After hatching, the parents care for the young chicks by feeding them insects until they are ready to fledge and leave the nest.
Conservation Status: The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is considered a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, meaning that it is not currently facing major conservation threats at a global level.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
Andean Region: The Andean region of Colombia includes the Andean mountain range and surrounding areas, encompassing departments such as Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Huila, Risaralda, Santander, and Tolima. The Rufous-tailed Jacamar may also occur in the foothills and lower elevations of the Andes, particularly in areas with suitable forested habitats.
Caribbean Region: The Caribbean region of Colombia includes departments such as Atlántico, Bolívar, Cesar, Córdoba, La Guajira, Magdalena, and Sucre, featuring diverse habitats including dry forests and mangroves. While less common in drier habitats, the Rufous-tailed Jacamar may be encountered in wetter areas along the Caribbean coast where suitable forests are present.
Eastern Plains (Llanos): The vast plains of the Llanos region, which spans multiple departments like Casanare, Meta, and Vichada, offer grasslands, wetlands, and gallery forests. The Rufous-tailed Jacamar may inhabit gallery forests and forested patches along rivers and waterways in the Eastern Plains of Colombia.
Taxonomy
The Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula (ruficauda) raficauda)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Galbuliformes
- Family: Galbulidae
- Genus: Galbula
- Species: Galbula ruficauda
- Species: ruficauda
Vocalization
Call: The primary call of the Rufous-tailed Jacamar is a repetitive and distinctive "kyow" or "kyyaa" sound, often given in a series of short, sharp notes. This call is used for various purposes, including maintaining contact with nearby individuals and signaling alarm.
Song:
The song of the Rufous-tailed Jacamar is a series of melodious and pleasant notes that are often described as high-pitched and trilling. The song may consist of cascading notes that rise and fall in pitch, creating a rhythmic and musical quality.
Territorial Calls: Rufous-tailed Jacamars are known to use vocalizations to establish and defend their territories. They may produce loud and repetitive calls to signal their presence and deter potential intruders or competitors from encroaching on their territory.
Courtship Calls: During the breeding season, Rufous-tailed Jacamars may engage in courtship displays that involve vocalizations. Males may vocalize to attract females, using a combination of calls and songs to demonstrate their fitness and suitability as a mate.
Alarm Calls: When sensing potential threats or predators in the area, Rufous-tailed Jacamars may emit sharp and urgent alarm calls to alert other individuals in the vicinity. These alarm calls help to warn flock members and coordinate group responses to external dangers.
