The white-chinned jacamar is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Western Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical forests of Brazil (western Amazon), southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northeastern Peru. Prefers edges of terra firme and várzea forest, river corridors, oxbow lakes, and clearings with scattered trees. Often found along sunny forest margins and streamside perches where flying insects are abundant. It tends to avoid the darkest forest interior, favoring semi-open midstory and edge habitats.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The white-chinned jacamar is a sit-and-wait aerial insect hunter that often perches motionless for long periods before sallying out to snatch flying insects. It typically nests in burrows excavated in earthen banks or similar substrates. Its small white chin patch distinguishes it from other jacamars with larger white throats. Presence is often tied to intact river edges and forest margins in the western Amazon.
Sacha Lodge - Ecuador
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats in quick sallies from a perch; direct, low flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, spending long periods perched quietly at forest edges or along waterways. Both sexes are believed to excavate nesting burrows in earthen banks or similar substrates. Breeding pairs defend small territories around favored perches and nest sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched whistles and short trills, often delivered from an exposed perch. Calls can be penetrating but are not especially loud, and are interspersed with long pauses. Vocalizations help pairs maintain contact in dense edge vegetation.
Plumage
Glossy green to bronzy-green upperparts with a distinctly rufous belly and flanks; small white patch limited to the chin. Long, straight, needle-like bill and elongated tail typical of jacamars.
Diet
Feeds mostly on flying insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, bees, wasps, and beetles. Hunts by sallying from exposed perches to capture prey mid-air with its long straight bill. Often beats larger or stinging prey against the perch before swallowing.
Preferred Environment
Forages along sunlit forest edges, riverbanks, oxbow lakes, and clearings with scattered midstory perches. Frequently uses dead branches or vines a few meters above ground that provide clear flight paths to intercept passing insects.
