Tucán Caribeño
Keel-billed Toucan
Rhamphastos sulfuratus
Song
Keel-billed Toucan
Appearance: The Keel-billed Toucan is easily recognizable by its large and colorful bill, which is yellow with red, green, and orange markings. Its plumage features a black body, bright yellow throat, and red undertail coverts. The presence of a bold band of color on its bill, known as the "keel," gives this species its name. Keel-billed Toucans also have blue eye-rings and bright green legs, adding to their striking appearance.
Habitat: Keel-billed Toucans are commonly found in the tropical forests and lowland rainforests where they inhabit canopy levels and forest edges. They prefer dense, humid forests with a mix of fruit-bearing trees, providing ample food resources for their omnivorous diet. These toucans are agile fliers and adept climbers, enabling them to move through the forest canopy with ease.
Behavior: Keel-billed Toucans are social birds that often gather in small groups or pairs. They are known for their acrobatic flight, hopping from branch to branch in search of fruit, insects, and small reptiles. These toucans have a call—a series of yelps or croaks—that they use for communication within their group and to establish territories.
Breeding: During the breeding season, Keel-billed Toucans form monogamous pairs and build their nests in tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. The female lays two to four eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about 16 days. After hatching, the chicks are cared for by both parents and fledge after several weeks. Breeding pairs engage in mutual courtship displays and vocalizations to reinforce their bond.
Conservation Status: The Keel-billed Toucan is considered a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution
Caribbean Region: Along the northern coast, Keel-billed Toucans can be observed in regions such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Guajira Peninsula. These toucans inhabit tropical dry forests, humid forests, and scrublands in the Caribbean region, utilizing a variety of habitats for feeding and breeding.
Pacific Region: Along the Pacific coast Keel-billed Toucans can be found in the Chocó biogeographic region, which encompasses departments such as Chocó and Valle del Cauca. This region is characterized by lush rainforests, mangrove swamps, and coastal ecosystems that provide suitable habitats for these toucans.
Taxonomy
The Keel-billed Toucan (Rhamphastos sulfuratus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Rhamphastos
- Species: Rhamphasos sulfuratus
Vocalization
Croaking Calls: Keel-billed Toucans produce a series of croaking calls that are often described as deep, guttural sounds resembling a frog's croak. These calls are used for a variety of purposes, including maintaining contact with group members, establishing territories, and signaling alarm in response to potential threats.
Yelping Calls: Another vocalization characteristic of Keel-billed Toucans is a series of high-pitched yelping calls. These calls are shorter and sharper than the croaking calls and are believed to serve as a form of communication between mates or as a way to coordinate movements within the group.
Bill-Clacking Sounds: In addition to vocalizations, Keel-billed Toucans are known to produce bill-clacking sounds by rapidly tapping their bills together. This behavior is often observed during courtship displays, territorial interactions, or as a form of non-vocal communication between individuals.
Chattering and Grunting Sounds: Keel-billed Toucans may also emit chattering and grunting sounds, especially when feeding, interacting with other birds, or engaging in social behaviors within their group. These sounds can vary in intensity and pitch, conveying different messages depending on the context.
