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TOUCANS (RAMPHASTIDAE; 6 SPECIES) Neotropical family of spectacular,
big-billed, forest and forest edge birds most diverse in South America. Ages differ slightly (juvs.
duller overall, with duller-patterned bills), attaining adult appearance in 1st year; sexes similar,
but males average bigger, longer bills. Nest in tree cavities.
BLUE-THROATED [EMERALD] TOUCANET Aulacorhynchus [prasinus]
caeruleogularis 28–32cm. Small green toucan of humid highland forest and
edge, adjacent clearings with trees. Usually in pairs or small groups, often at
fruiting trees and shrubs, but easily overlooked given its green coloration. Flight
fairly fast and direct with whirring wingbeats. No similar species, the only
bright green toucan in Costa Rica. Juv. has paler throat, lacks neat pale line
around base of bill. SOUNDS: ‘Song’ a nasal clucking to slightly rasping grunt
repeated steadily rruhk rruhk..., 2–3 notes/sec; may suggest a frog. Other grunts
and creaky barks in interactions. At a distance could suggest Keel-billed Toucan,
which has higher, slightly longer, and creakier notes. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both slopes,
mainly 800–2700m, occasionally lower in winter. (Costa Rica to Panama.)
YELLOW-EARED TOUCANET Selenidera spectabilis 37–41cm. Stunning but
rarely seen small toucan of humid foothill forest. Usually in pairs or small
groups at mid–upper levels where easily overlooked unless vocal; occasionally
lower at edges and fruiting trees. Distinctive if you are lucky enough to see it,
with colorful face, black throat and underparts, golden-yellow flank tufts,
bright red undertail coverts. Only Costa Rican toucan in which sexes differ in
plumage. SOUNDS: Dry, slightly rasping or clicking 2-syllable croak, usually in
short series, k’rrehk k’rrehk.…STATUS: Uncommon to scarce on Caribbean slope,
mainly 300–1200m; rarely to lowlands, mainly in winter; spills over locally to
adjacent n. Pacific slope foothills. (Honduras to nw. Colombia.)
COLLARED ARACARI Pteroglossus torquatus 38–43cm. Distinctive small
toucan of varied wooded and forested habitats, adjacent clearings with larger
trees, gardens. Typically in small loose groups, moving through canopy or flying
across clearings one at a time, with rather direct flight and rapid whirring
wingbeats, short glides. Limited range overlap with Fiery-billed Aracari, and
hybridization may occur locally. Juv. has smaller and duller bill without strong
black-edged serrations, yellowish facial skin soon becomes grayish, then red.
SOUNDS: Sharp, squeaky, slightly metallic píchi or skweí-zi, sometimes repeated
steadily; may suggest Groove-billed Ani. STATUS: Fairly common to common
on both slopes, locally to 1500m. (Mexico to w. Ecuador.)
FIERY-BILLED ARACARI Pteroglossus frantzii 38–43cm. Replaces Collared
Aracari on s. Pacific slope (limited range overlap), where found in humid forest,
plantations, adjacent semi-open areas with trees and fruiting shrubs. Habits
much like Collared Aracari. Identified by fiery bill coloration, broad red
belly band, but may hybridize locally with Collared Aracari. Juv. duller overall
and paler below; facial skin yellowish, soon becoming grayish and red.
SOUNDS: Much like Collared Aracari, although pí-chi averages less compressed;
also may suggest Groove-billed Ani. STATUS: Fairly common to common on s.
Pacific slope, to 1500m; appears to be spreading north into range of Collared
Aracari. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)
