Jacamaralcyon tridactyla (Vieillot, 1817)

Family Trait Comparisons

Like all members of its family, the three-toed jacamar (Jacamaralcyon tridactyla) has short legs and short wings.

Perching Posture

It perches upright, holds its tail downward, and keeps its long, sharply-pointed beak tilted upward.

Size and Weight

This is a medium-sized bird, measuring 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighing between 17.4 and 19.3 g (0.61 and 0.68 oz); females are heavier than males on average.

Plumage Upperparts and Underparts

Males and females have similar plumage: the upperparts are slaty black with a bronzy-green gloss, and the underparts are somewhat paler. The belly and the center of the breast are white.

Head and Throat Markings

Adult birds have a brownish-gray cap and a black throat. The cap, chin, and sides of the head are finely marked with pale fulvous streaks.

Bill and Feet Color

Its bill is black, and its feet are slaty gray.

Toe Count Difference

Unlike other members of its family, the three-toed jacamar has three toes instead of four.

Foot Structure

Its small zygodactyl feet lack a hind toe, and the two front toes are fused together at the base.

Endemic Range

The three-toed jacamar is endemic to southeastern Brazil, where it lives in drier parts of the Atlantic Forest.

Current and Historical Distribution

It is now restricted to the states of Rio de Janeiro (primarily in the Paraíba do Sul valley) and eastern Minas Gerais, though it previously had populations in Espírito Santo, São Paulo, and Paraná.

Habitat Tolerance

While it is generally found in intact forest, it can survive in more degraded areas such as plantations, as long as a native understory layer remains.

Nesting Habitat Associations

There is some evidence that it associates with streams, because it needs earthen banks to nest; it also uses banks created by road cuttings.

Movement Patterns

This species is largely sedentary, though young birds disperse after fledging, and adult birds sometimes move short distances.

Diet Classification

Like all jacamars, the three-toed jacamar is an insectivore.

Prey Preferences

It feeds preferentially on small, cryptically colored moths and butterflies, and Hymenoptera, but will also eat flies, dragonflies, beetles, true bugs, and termites.

Hunting Behavior

It hunts from an open perch in the forest understory or along the forest edge, flying out to catch prey.

Prey Handling

It often beats captured prey against a branch to stun the insect, remove stingers, venom, and wings.