How are jacamars different from puffbirds?

Although jacamars and puffbirds are related members of the suborder Galbulae, they exhibit several distinct physical and behavioral differences:

• Appearance: Jacamars are moderately sized, long-tailed birds with iridescent plumage, typically dominated by green, bronze, or blue tones. In contrast, puffbirds are generally dull-colored with lax, noniridescent plumage and are known for their unusually large heads and short necks.123
• Bill Structure: Jacamars possess long, sharp, and slender bills. Puffbirds are distinguished by shorter, wider bills that feature a decurved tip.123
• Dietary Habits: While both groups catch insects on the wing, jacamars feed primarily on large insects like butterflies and dragonflies. Puffbirds have a more varied diet that includes insects, other arthropods, and small vertebrates.12
• Anatomy: Taxonomically, they differ in their skeletal and leg structures; for instance, jacamars lack a vomer bone, whereas it is present in puffbirds. Additionally, their leg scales differ in arrangement.2

Both families are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and typically nest in burrows.2