Rufous-tailed Jacamar

About

The Rufous-tailed Jacamar is a striking, iridescent Neotropical bird known for its long, pointed bill and long tail. It is a primarily insectivorous bird that perches conspicuously in open forest understory or at forest edges, darting out to catch insects in flight.

Size & lifespan

Length

23-28 cm (9-11 inches)

Wingspan

25-30 cm (10-12 inches)

Weight

25-35 g (0.9-1.2 oz)

Lifespan

Reported lifespan in the wild is up to 5-7 years, though more comprehensive data is limited.

Diet

Strictly insectivorous, primarily preying on flying insects such as butterflies, moths, dragonflies, bees, wasps, and flies. It also takes spiders occasionally.

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Adults have iridescent metallic greenish-bronze upperparts, a rufous (reddish-brown) belly, and a distinctive rufous tail. The throat is emerald green for males and buff to whitish for females. There is a prominent dark mask across the eye and a white malar stripe. The breast band is metallic green.

Beak shape

Long, thin, straight and pointed, black.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark gray to black.

Distinguishing features

Its long, pointed black bill, iridescent green and rufous plumage, and long, graduated rufous tail are key features. The white malar stripe and dark eye mask are also very noticeable.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are duller overall than adults, with less intense iridescence and a shorter, brownish tail. They may have a duller throat patch that is not distinctly green or buff.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes are observed.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have an iridescent emerald green throat, while females typically have a buff to whitish throat. Otherwise, sexes are similar.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage Coloration

   Look for the metallic green upperparts, rich rufous belly, and, critically, the rufous tail. Males have an emerald green throat, females a buff/whitish throat.

2. 2

   Bill Shape

   The exceptionally long, thin, and pointed black bill is unmistakable among birds in its range.

3. 3

   Perching Style

   Often perches upright and motionless on exposed branches, typically at eye level or slightly above, in open forest understory or at edges.

4. 4

   Flight Pattern

   Observing its characteristic sallying flight from a perch to catch insects and return is a good identification clue.

5. 5

   Song

   Learn its distinctive, accelerating, high-pitched trill, which often draws attention before the bird is seen.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tropical lowland rainforests, gallery forests, forest edges, secondary growth, clearings with scattered trees, and plantations.

Geographic range

Found from southern Mexico through Central America, and extensively in South America east of the Andes, south to Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Absent from the high Andes and drier regions.

Elevation range

Typically from sea level up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), occasionally higher in some areas, up to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).

Preferred environments

Prefers open woodlands, forest borders, and riparian zones. They often perch on exposed branches in areas with good visibility to spot prey.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the cooler parts of the day, particularly mornings and late afternoons.

Feeding habits

Aerial insectivore. It typically perches motionlessly on an exposed branch, often for extended periods, then sallying out to catch an insect in mid-air with an audible snap of its bill. It returns to the same or a nearby perch to consume the prey, often beating larger insects against the branch. Sometimes they will glean insects from foliage.

Social behavior

Usually solitary or found in pairs, though small family groups can be observed. They are not typically communal outside of breeding pairs.

Flight pattern

Direct and swift when hawking for insects, with quick wing beats. Otherwise, typically short glides between perches.

Migration pattern

Generally resident throughout its range, not known to be migratory.

Territoriality

Pairs defend a breeding territory, particularly around their nesting burrow, but are generally less territorial outside of the breeding season.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, generally tied to the rainy season or periods of high insect abundance. For example, March-June in Central America, October-February in parts of South America.

Nesting habits

Nests in burrows excavated in earth banks, often along rivers, roadsides, or in ravines. Both sexes participate in digging the nesting tunnel, which can be up to 60 cm (24 inches) long, ending in a slightly wider egg chamber. Sometimes they reuse old nests.

Clutch size

Typically 2-4 eggs.

Egg description

Usually 2-4 pure white, glossy, oval eggs.

Incubation period

Approximately 19-23 days, shared by both parents.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge at about 21-26 days after hatching. They are altricial, born naked and helpless.

Parental care

Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. They bring insects back to the nest for the nestlings.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for the Song. Their distinctive accelerating trill is often the first indication of their presence. Learn this vocalization to locate them.
2. Scan Exposed Perches. They prefer to perch conspicuously on bare branches at mid-story height, often overlooking an open area from which to hawk insects. Look for dark silhouettes against the sky.
3. Patience is Key. Jacamars are sit-and-wait predators; they can remain motionless for long periods. Be patient and scan an area thoroughly.
4. Look for Movement. Although often still, watch for sudden, quick flights to catch an insect, followed by a return to a perch.
5. Check Nesting Sites. During the breeding season, look for burrows in earthen banks, as pairs will be active around these locations.

Similar species

Quick facts

Primary Diet:

Flying insects

Nesting Type:

Burrow in earth banks

Vocalization Style:

Accelerating trill

Habitat Preference:

Forest edges, open woodlands

Behavioral Trait:

Sit-and-wait predator

Fun facts

• The iridescent plumage of the Rufous-tailed Jacamar is structural coloration, meaning it's produced by the microscopic structure of the feathers, not by pigments. This causes the colors to shift with light conditions.
• Jacamars are distantly related to kingfishers and woodpeckers, belonging to the order Piciformes, but they are highly specialized insectivores, unlike many of their relatives.
• They often select larger, more nutritious insects like butterflies for prey, sometimes beating them against a branch to dislodge wings or stingers before consumption.
• Despite their bright colors, they can be surprisingly camouflaged in the dappled light of the forest, due to their iridescence.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Piciformes

Family

Galbulidae

Genus

Galbula

Species

G. ruficauda

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