Tucán Pechiamarillo
Black-mandibled Toucan
Ramphastos (ambiguus) ambiguus
Song
Black-mandibled Toucan
Appearance: The Black-mandibled Toucan is a large toucan species known for its vibrant and eye-catching appearance. It features a black body with a bold red undertail and rump. Its most distinctive feature is the large, colorful bill that is primarily black with a yellow spot at the base. This toucan species also sports blue skin around its eyes and a colorful pattern on its throat. The striking color combination makes the Black-mandibled Toucan a visually impressive bird in its habitat.
Habitat: The Black-mandibled Toucan inhabits a range of habitats similar to the Chestnut-mandibled Toucan. It can be found in tropical rainforests, montane forests, humid lowland forests, and forested regions along the Pacific coast, Amazon region, Andean foothills, and parts of the Orinoco region. These toucans rely on forested areas with ample fruiting trees and suitable nesting sites for their survival.
Behavior: Black-mandibled Toucans exhibit social behavior and are commonly seen in pairs or small groups within their forest habitat. They communicate with each other through vocalizations, including croaking calls and bill clacking. Like other toucan species, they are fruit-eating birds and have a specialized diet that includes a variety of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They forage in the canopy of trees using their large bills to extract and consume fruits and prey items.
Breeding: During the breeding season, Black-mandibled Toucans engage in courtship displays, nest-building activities, and vocalizations to attract potential mates. They typically nest in tree cavities or use abandoned woodpecker nests for breeding. The female lays eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The parents participate in feeding the chicks regurgitated fruits and caring for the young birds until they fledge and become independent.
Conservation Status: The Black-mandibled Toucan is considered to be of Least Concern according to the IUCN.
Distribution
Andean Foothills: The Andean foothills of Colombia serve as a habitat for the Black-mandibled Toucan, where they can be found in montane forests and other forested areas. The diverse elevations and vegetation in this region provide a range of resources for the toucans.
Taxonomy
The Black-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos (ambiguus) ambiguus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: Ramphastos ambiguus
- Subpecies: ambiguus
Vocalization
Croaking Calls: One of the most common vocalizations produced by Black-mandibled Toucans is a deep, resonant croaking call. This sound resembles a series of low-pitched, guttural croaks that are often used for communication between individuals in the flock. The croaking calls of the toucans can vary in intensity and duration, serving as a way to maintain contact with group members and establish territorial boundaries.
Bill Clacking: In addition to croaking calls, Black-mandibled Toucans are known to produce bill clacking sounds as part of their vocal repertoire. This behavior involves rapid and repetitive tapping of their bills together, creating a distinctive clacking noise. Bill clacking is often observed during social interactions, courtship displays, or as a response to perceived threats in the environment.
Contact Calls: Black-mandibled Toucans also use contact calls to communicate with each other within their group or pair. These calls are typically short, sharp notes or series of notes that help individuals stay in touch while foraging, moving through the forest canopy, or coordinating group activities. Contact calls can vary in pitch and frequency, allowing toucans to identify and locate each other within their habitat.
Alarm Calls: When Black-mandibled Toucans sense potential danger or perceive a threat nearby, they emit alarm calls to alert others in the group. These calls are often sharp, loud, and distinctive, serving as a warning signal to alert group members of potential predators or disturbances in the environment. Alarm calls help toucans respond quickly and collectively to perceived threats and ensure their safety and survival in the wild.
