The white-throated jacamar is a species of bird in the family Galbulidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru.
Region
Western and central Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland forests and edges across parts of Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. It favors river corridors, seasonally flooded várzea, young second growth, and sandy or open clearings with scattered perches. Most often seen along stream banks and on river islands where insects are abundant. It keeps close to canopy gaps or edges rather than deep interior forest.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The white-throated jacamar is a small, insect-catching specialist that sallies from exposed perches to snatch flying prey. Its crisp white throat contrasts with dark glossy upperparts, making it easy to pick out along sunny river edges. Like other jacamars, it often nests by tunneling into sandy banks or occasionally termitaria. It plays a role in controlling populations of butterflies, dragonflies, and stinging insects.
White-throated Jacamar
Temperament
quiet and watchful
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from a perch
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups along forest edges and waterways. Pairs maintain small territories with favored perches used repeatedly for hunting. Nests are excavated tunnels in sandy or earthen banks, with both parents participating in incubation and feeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched whistles and trills, often from an exposed branch. Vocalizations are brief and carry along river corridors, used for contact and territory advertisement.
Plumage
Glossy dark green to blackish upperparts with a sharply defined white throat; underparts tinged rufous to cinnamon on the belly and flanks. Feathers are sleek with a metallic sheen on the back and wings. Long, needle-like bill and relatively short tail compared with some other jacamars.
Diet
Feeds primarily on flying insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, bees, wasps, and beetles. Captures prey in mid-air using swift sallies from a fixed perch. Often removes stingers from wasps and bees by wiping them on the perch before swallowing. Will also take other aerial arthropods when abundant.
Preferred Environment
Hunts along sunny forest edges, riverbanks, and clearings where aerial insect traffic is high. Perches on exposed twigs, snags, and low branches overlooking open spaces or water.
