Discovering the Jacamar: A Guide to South America’s Jewel-like Bird

How to Attract Jacamars to Your Garden: Habitat Tips for BirdwatchersJacamars are a striking group of tropical birds belonging to the family Galbulidae. With iridescent plumage, long bill, and a flycatcher-like habit, they’re a prized sight for birdwatchers across Central and South America. If you live within or near jacamar range and want to turn your garden into a welcoming spot for these insectivorous beauties, this guide covers practical habitat improvements, plant choices, structural features, and observation tips to increase your chances of attracting them.

Where jacamars live and why gardens can work

Jacamars favor edges of forests, riverbanks, secondary growth, and clearings where perches overlook open space for sallying after flying insects. Gardens that mimic these edge conditions—offering perches, insect-rich feeding areas, and quiet nesting or roosting microhabitats—can attract jacamars, especially in periurban and rural settings.

Key habitat elements to provide

1. Perches and vantage points

• Jacamars hunt by sallying from exposed perches. Provide a variety of perches at different heights: thin bare branches, dead limbs, or deliberately left stubs. Perches over open lawns, paths, or small ponds are especially attractive.
• Keep some perches 2–6 meters above ground; many species prefer mid-level heights to scan for flying insects.

1. Insect-rich plantings

• Jacamars feed mainly on flying insects (butterflies, bees, wasps, dragonflies, and large flies). Plant a diverse mix of native flowering shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants that attract nectar-feeding and pollen-feeding insects, which in turn support the aerial insect community.
• Include plants that bloom at different times to provide year-round insect activity. Avoid pesticide use.

1. Structural diversity and edge habitat

• Create a layered garden with canopy trees, mid-storey shrubs, and open understory to mimic forest edges. Leave small clearings and trails so jacamars can spot and pursue prey.
• Maintain a natural edge along fences, hedgerows, or property borders rather than uniform clipped hedges.

1. Water sources

• A small pond, water feature, or even a birdbath attracts insects (and drinking/bathing birds). Moving water (drippers, shallow fountain) increases insect visits and provides attractive sound cues. Ensure shallow edges for easy perching.

1. Nesting and roosting opportunities

• Some jacamar species nest in earthen banks, termite mounds, or tunneled cavities. If natural banks exist on your property, avoid altering them during breeding season.
• You can simulate nesting opportunities by preserving termite mounds when present and by leaving dead wood and tangled vine tangles. Artificial nest tunnels are generally not effective for jacamars, who prefer natural burrows, but preserving natural features helps.

1. Minimize disturbance and predation risk

• Keep domestic pets, particularly cats, away from the core garden area. Provide dense nearby cover where jacamars can retreat if threatened.
• Reduce nighttime lighting to avoid disrupting insect behavior and bird movement.

Plants recommended (choose native species where possible)

• Nectar- and insect-attracting trees: In tropical regions, consider native flowering trees that host insect communities (e.g., Inga, Bauhinia, and flowering Ficus species).
• Mid-storey shrubs and vines: Plants with clustered flowers or fruiting structures attract insects and perching sites.
• Nectar-rich understory: Heliconias, native bee-attracting shrubs, and butterfly-host plants increase flying insect abundance.

(Select species appropriate to your country/region—consult a local native-plant list or extension service for best choices.)

Seasonal considerations

• Time plantings so blooms and insect peaks align with local jacamar breeding or migration periods.
• In the dry season, maintain water sources; in rainy seasons, ensure perches above flood lines.

Observation and photography tips

• Use binoculars and a quiet approach; jacamars are most visible when perched and scanning.
• Early morning and late afternoon are peak activity times when insects are active and lighting is favorable.
• Position blinds or observation points downwind and allow the birds to become accustomed to them.

Troubleshooting: common reasons jacamars avoid a garden

• Low aerial insect abundance (often due to pesticides or lack of flowering plants).
• Lack of exposed perches overlooking open space.
• High disturbance from people, pets, or noise.
• Absence of nearby nesting substrates (banks, termite mounds) if the species is a strict burrow-nester.

Small-scale habitat projects you can start this weekend

• Install a few tall, thin perches (dead branches or purposely trimmed poles) over open lawn or near a pond.
• Plant a cluster of native flowering shrubs and nectar plants.
• Set up a small shallow water feature with moving water.
• Create a quiet, undisturbed “edge” by letting part of the garden grow more naturally.

Ethical and legal notes

• Do not collect wild nests or disturb nesting burrows. Follow local wildlife regulations regarding protected species and habitats.
• Avoid pesticides; use integrated pest management if necessary.

Providing perches, diverse native plantings, water, and undisturbed edge habitat will significantly increase the chance jacamars visit your garden. Patience and gradual habitat improvement are key—over months to years your property can become a valued stop for these colorful aerial insectivores.