Bird Guide

Great Jacamar vs White-eared Jacamar

Great Jacamar (Jacamerops aureus)

Great Jacamar

Jacamerops aureus

Medium63 gForest

It measures 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) in length and weighs between 57 and 70 g (2.0 and 2.5 oz). As indicated by its name, this is the largest species of jacamar and much bulkier than any other species in the family. The adult male chin, cheeks and upper region are all bright metallic green with gold overtones, with a blueish tinge on the chin, forehead and tail and purple copper on the back. The lower part of the throat is white and the rest of the lower region is deep rufous. The primaries are black, the tail is blue-black, below the beak is black, and the legs are dark horn-colored.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Great Jacamar
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, song · Esmeraldas: Canandé ridge trail, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ian Adams · CC BY 4.0
White-eared Jacamar (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis)

White-eared Jacamar

Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis

Small47 gForest

The white-eared jacamar is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long and weighs 44 to 50 g (1.6 to 1.8 oz). It is stouter than many jacamars, and has a more robust bill. It is almost entirely reddish-chestnut, with a bronzy gloss on the crown, wings, and tail. It has large white ear coverts. The juvenile is paler and its bill is shorter. Voice: The white-eared jacamar's song has been described as a "rising and accelerating...trill, "trrreeeeeeerrrr-reeeerrr-reeerr-reerreerr..." . It also makes a loud "kyew" or "cue" call .

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the White-eared Jacamar
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Napo: 'Gareno (Guaponi) Lodge', Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Philipp Weigell · CC BY 3.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great Jacamar and White-eared Jacamar.