The brown jacamar is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin and the Guianas
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in lowland tropical forests of northern South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Prefers forest edges, riverbanks, oxbow lakes, and clearings with scattered trees. Readily uses secondary growth, gallery forest, and lightly disturbed habitats. Generally avoids the densest interior of mature terra firme forest, favoring open sightlines for aerial sallies.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Brown jacamars are sit-and-wait insect hunters that sally out from exposed perches to snatch flying insects. They often frequent river edges and forest clearings where insects are abundant. Like many jacamars, they nest in burrows excavated in sandy or earthen banks. Their sleek shape and long, slender bill give them a bee-eater-like appearance.
Temperament
watchful and somewhat confiding
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats in quick sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups perched along rivers or clearings. Typically monogamous; pairs maintain small territories. Nests are burrows excavated in sandy or earthen banks, road cuts, or river cliffs; both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched whistles and sharp notes, often delivered from an exposed perch. Calls can be a series of tee-tee-tee or seep whistles, sometimes accelerating into a brief trill.
