About Galbula ruficauda Cuvier, 1816
General Morphology
Like other jacamars, rufous-tailed jacamars are elegant, brightly coloured birds with long bills and long tails.
Size Measurements
Most rufous-tailed jacamars reach 25 cm (10 in) in total length, with a 5 cm (2 in) long black bill. The subspecies G. r. brevirostris has a shorter bill, as its name suggests.
Plumage Coloration
This species is metallic green on its upper body; its underparts are mainly orange, including the undertail, with a distinct green breast band.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males and females differ in appearance: males have a white throat, while females have a buff throat, and females also typically have paler underparts.
Subspecies Plumage Variation
The subspecies G. r. pallens has a copper-coloured back in both males and females.
Diet
The rufous-tailed jacamar is an insectivore.
Hunting Behavior
It hunts from a perch, sitting with its bill tilted upward, then flying out to catch flying insects.
Prey Species
One common insect prey is the social wasp Agelaia vicina; other insect prey includes flies, beetles, bees, dragonflies, and butterflies.
Prey Recognition Ability
This bird can distinguish between edible and unpalatable butterflies, primarily using differences in body shape.
