Keel-billed toucan
Keel-billed toucan | |
---|---|
in Costa Rica | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Piciformes |
Family: | Ramphastidae |
Genus: | Ramphastos |
Species: | R. sulfuratus
|
Binomial name | |
Ramphastos sulfuratus Lesson , 1830 | |
Subspecies | |
See text | |
The keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), also known as sulfur-breasted toucan, keel toucan, or rainbow-billed toucan, is a colorful Latin American member of the
Taxonomy and systematics
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:[5]
Image | Subspecies | Distribution |
---|---|---|
Ramphastos sulfuratus sulfuratus – Lesson , 1830 |
Found in south-eastern Mexico, Belize and northern Guatemala | |
Ramphastos sulfuratus brevicarinatus – Gould, 1854 | Originally described as a separate species. Found in south-eastern Guatemala to northern Colombia and north-western Venezuela |
Description
Including its bill, the keel-billed toucan ranges in length from around 42 to 55 cm (17 to 22 in).[6] Their large and colorful bill averages around 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in), about one-third of its length. It typically weighs about 380–500 g (13–18 oz).[7] While the bill seems large and cumbersome, it is in fact a spongy, hollow bone covered in keratin, a very light and hard protein.
The
Keel-billed toucans have
Distribution and habitat
The keel-billed toucan can be found from Southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia. It roosts in the
Behaviour and ecology
Like many toucans, keel-billed toucans are very social birds, rarely seen alone. They fly in small flocks of approximately six to twelve individuals through lowland rainforests. Their flight is slow and undulating, consisting of rapid wing beats (six to ten), then a glide with the bird's beak extending forward and dipping downward as though pulling the rest of the bird.[8] Their feet are drawn up forward in flight. The flight distances are typically short.[8] They live together in groups, often sharing cramped living quarters of holes in trees. There is a family structure within the group. Birds often "duel" with each other using their bills, and throw fruit into each other's mouths. They 'play ball', one throwing a fruit in the air and a second seizing it.[8]
Breeding
The female keel-billed toucan will lay 1–4 white eggs in a natural or already-made tree cavity.[10] The male and female share in the caring of the eggs, both taking turns incubating.[8] The eggs hatch approximately 15–20 days after being laid. After hatching, the male and female again take turns feeding the chicks. When the chicks hatch, they have no feathers, and have their eyes closed for approximately 3 weeks. The chicks have adequately formed heel pads, which assist on the pit-covered bottom of the nest.[8] The chicks stay in their nest for approximately eight to nine weeks while their bills develop fully and they are ready to fledge from the nest.
Food and feeding
The diet of keel-billed toucans consists mostly of a wide range of fruit,
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in Costa Rica
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on foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata), Belize
-
in Peten, Guatemala
Aviculture
The keel-billed toucan is sometimes kept in captivity, but it requires a high-fruit diet and is sensitive to
Status
This species is threatened by habitat loss, which has been accelerating in recent years, and by hunting and trapping for the pet trade. The species is undergoing a moderately rapid population decline and is therefore evaluated as Near Threatened.[1]
They are threatened by hunting for their meat and beaks, and toucan populations are on a decreasing trend.
References
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2021). "Ramphastos sulfuratus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T22682102A168670038. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Developer. "Government of Belize Portal". belize.gov.bz. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2016-11-08.
- ^ Josselyn, V.T., The Life History of the Toucan, Ramphastos brevicarinatus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Miscellaneous Publications. 1929, 19: 1–43.
- .
- JSTOR 4083886.
- ^ "Keel-billed Toucan, Costa Rica – information, where to see it, and photos". Anywherecostarica.com. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Van Tyne, Josselyn (1929). "The Life History of the Toucan, Ramphastos brevicarinatus" (PDF). University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Miscellaneous Publications. 19: 1–43.
- ^ "Keel-Billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus". The Sacramento Zoological Society. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
- .
- S2CID 86540764.
External links
- "Rainbow-billed Toucan media". Internet Bird Collection.
- Keel-billed toucan Stamps (7 countries) at bird-stamps.org[usurped]
- Keel-billed toucan photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Bibliography of online ornithological articles which explore the natural history of the Rainbow or Keel-billed toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus sulfuratus.
- Keel-billed toucan species account at Neotropical Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
- Interactive range map of Ramphastos sulfuratus at IUCN Red List maps
- Audio recordings of Keel-billed toucan on Xeno-canto.