White-throated Toucan

Overview

The white-throated toucan (Ramphastos tucanus) is a near-passerine bird in the family Ramphastidae. It is distributed throughout South America, including the Amazon Basin and adjacent drainage systems. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Plumage: Black body with a white throat and breast bordered by a narrow red line, a bright yellow rump, and a red crissum.
• Bill: Huge maroon bill with a yellow tip and upper ridge; the base of the lower mandible is blue, while the rest is mainly black or reddish-brown depending on subspecies.
• Size: Total length of 50–61 cm; the R. t. cuvieri subspecies may be heavier than the toco toucan, the only larger toucan species.
• Voice: Distinctive yelping calls described as 'eeoo, hue hue', one of the loudest among toucans, differing from the croaking song of the channel-billed toucan.

Habitat

Found throughout South America in the Amazon Basin, including the adjacent Tocantins and Araguaia River drainage. The species prefers tropical humid forest but also occurs in woodland and locally in riverine forest within the cerrado.

Diet

Primarily an arboreal fruit-eater, but the species will also consume insects, lizards, eggs, and small birds.

Did you know?

The chicks possess specialised pads on their heels to protect them from the rough floor of the nest cavity. Juveniles are noticeably shorter-billed and have duller, more sooty-black plumage than adults.