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KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN  Ramphastos sulfuratus 45–52cm. Spectacular big

toucan of humid forest, adjacent second growth, tree-scattered farmland with

forest patches, gallery forest, plantations. Essentially unmistakable, with big,

rainbow-colored bill; cf. Yellow-throated Toucan, with which it sometimes

associates. More often heard than seen, but can be conspicuous, especially in

early to mid-morning, perched on emergent bare snags in canopy or along

forest edge; typically in pairs or small groups. Flight often high and deeply

undulating, bursts of wingbeats interspersed with long swooping glides. Male

has longer bill than female, noticeable within pairs. SOUNDS: Loud throaty

croak, typically repeated steadily rrek-rrek..., 10 notes/4.5–7 secs; at a distance sounds like frogs (and cf.

Blue-throated Toucanet), up close has an ear-splitting, shrieking quality. STATUS: Fairly common to

common on both slopes, to 1600m and expanding upslope; uncommon to rare in drier nw. lowlands.

Like other toucans, may wander rarely outside mapped range if fruit is scarce. (Mexico to nw. S America.)

YELLOW-THROATED (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) TOUCAN  Ramphastos

ambiguus 51–59cm. Spectacular big toucan of humid forest, adjacent tree-

scattered farmland with forest patches, plantations. Essentially unmistakable,

with big, bicolored ‘banana bill’; cf. slightly smaller Keel-billed Toucan. Habits

much like Keel-billed, which Yellow-throated dominates at fruiting trees; voice

very different. In good light, bill deep maroon but often looks blackish in the

field. Male has longer bill than female, noticeable within pairs. SOUNDS: Loud,

downslurred yelping scream followed by (usually 1–3) paired yelps, EERik, ki-

di ki-di, with distinctive rhythm, repeated steadily and often tirelessly; at a

distance, only 1st part audible, but ear-splitting up close. STATUS: Fairly common to common on both

slopes, locally to 1800m. (Honduras to S America.)

NEW WORLD BARBETS (CAPITONIDAE; 1 SPECIES) Small family of

chunky, medium-size, often colorful birds related to toucans. Ages differ slightly, sexes differ;

like adult in 1st year.

RED-HEADED BARBET  Eubucco bourcierii 14.5–15.5cm. Colorful, thickset

bird of humid foothill forest and edge, adjacent second growth and semi-open

areas with fruiting trees and shrubs. Feeds low to high, often in canopy; visits

feeders. Singles and pairs join mixed flocks, moving slowly and deliberately,

poking in leaf clusters, at times hanging like a titmouse. No similar species in

Costa Rica; stunning male particularly eye-catching; on female note stout

yellowish bill, complex head pattern. SOUNDS:  Rather quiet. Song a low

purring trill, urrrrr..., 1–2 secs, every 5–15 secs; suggests Scaled Antpitta, but

more even in pace and pitch. Varied grating and scratchy calls in interactions.

STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, mainly 300–1800m.

(Costa Rica to S America.)

TOUCAN BARBETS (SEMNORNITHIDAE; 1 SPECIES) Small family of

chunky, medium-size birds formerly merged with barbets. Ages/sexes differ slightly; like adult

in 1st year.

PRONG-BILLED BARBET  Semnornis frantzii 17–18.5cm. Vocally arresting

but drab-plumaged bird of mossy cloud forest and edge, adjacent semi-open

areas, gardens. Most often detected by voice. In pairs or small groups, mainly

moving sluggishly at mid–upper levels in fruiting trees; sometimes joins mixed

flocks. Nothing especially similar in Costa Rica, but cf. Southern Black-faced

Grosbeak (p. 400): note ochre-brown plumage with black mask, stout silvery-

gray bill with black tip; male has blue-black pointed crest, usually held flat.

SOUNDS: Loud nasal honking and braying calls often in pulsating duets that can

last 30 secs or more, ohng-ohng…or waah-waah..., 4–5 notes/sec. Harsh clucks

in alarm. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, mainly 700–2500m; occasionally wanders lower. (Costa

Rica to w. Panama.)