Galbulidae

views updated May 29 2018

Galbulidae (jacamars; class Aves, order Piciformes) A family of small to medium-sized birds that have metallic green and rufous or dull, brown-black plumage. They have long, thin, pointed bills, short, rounded wings, long tails, and four toes, two directed backwards, except for Jacamaralcyon tridactyla (three-toed jacamar). The four Brachygalba species are smaller and shorter-tailed than other jacamars. Jacamars inhabit forest edges, feed on insects, and nest in burrows dug in a bank. There are five genera with 15–17 species, found in Central and S. America.

jacamars

views updated May 11 2018

jacamars See GALBULIDAE; PICIFORMES.