The green-tailed jacamar is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is native to Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America (Guianas and northern Amazonia)
Typical Environment
Found across lowland forests and edges in Brazil north of the Amazon, Colombia (east), Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Prefers forest margins, riverbanks, gallery forest, and tall secondary growth where open sight lines allow aerial sallies. Often perches along streams and clearings and uses sandy or earthen banks for nesting burrows. Tolerates moderately disturbed habitats but avoids dense interior canopy without openings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The green-tailed jacamar is a sit-and-wait aerial insect hunter that sallies from exposed perches to snap up butterflies, dragonflies, and other flying insects. Its iridescent green upperparts and long, straight bill give it a hummingbird-meets-kingfisher look, but it is a jacamar in the family Galbulidae. It nests in burrows excavated in earthen banks or sandy soil, often along river edges or paths.
Galbula galbula, female (below) and male (above), illustration by Keulemans
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats in straight sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories along forest edges and waterways. Pairs excavate nesting burrows in sandy or earthen banks, termite mounds, or road cuts. Both sexes participate in nesting and care for the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, high-pitched whistles and thin trills, often delivered from an exposed perch. Calls are carrying but simple, used for contact and territory advertisement.
Plumage
Glossy, metallic green upperparts with a long green tail; underparts rich rufous. Male shows a crisp white throat contrasting with dark head and green breast; female’s throat is buffier. Feathers are sleek and iridescent, especially on the head, back, and tail.
Diet
Primarily hunts flying insects such as butterflies, moths, dragonflies, damselflies, bees, and wasps. Captures prey on the wing with swift sallies from a favored perch. Often removes stingers by bashing prey before swallowing. Foraging relies heavily on visual detection in good light.
Preferred Environment
Perches along sunlit forest edges, riverbanks, trails, and clearings with scattered trees. Avoids dense interior forest where visibility and flight paths are limited.
