Aulacorhynchus derbianus
The Chestnut-tipped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus derbianus) is a vibrant, medium-sized avian jewel of the South American cloud forests. Measuring approximately 37-41 cm (14.5-16 inches) in length and weighing between 150-230 grams, this species is predominantly clad in brilliant emerald green plumage, providing excellent camouflage amidst its leafy habitat. A distinctive blue-gray throat and a patch of rufous-chestnut on its vent contrast sharply with its body, while the tail feathers (rectrices)...
Inhabiting subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, this species thrives in the dense canopy and mid-story of cloud forests at elevations typically ranging from 900 to 2400 meters.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of forest fruits, but also supplementing their diet with insects, spiders, small lizards, and the eggs or nestlings of other birds.
Primarily diurnal, Chestnut-tipped Toucanets are often observed in pairs or small family groups, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. Their foraging strategy is opportunistic; they are agile arboreal gleaners, using their large bills to pluck fruits, snatch insects from foliage, or...
The Chestnut-tipped Toucanet has a disjunct distribution across the Andes mountains of South America, spanning from southern Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru into Bolivia. Four recognized subspecies occupy distinct, often isolated, geographical pockets within this range. *A. d. derbianus* ...
Least Concern
- Despite their large appearance, toucanet bills are remarkably lightweight due to their honeycomb-like internal structure, making them adept at reaching food items. - The 'chestnut tips' on their tail feathers are a primary field mark, helping distinguish them from other similar green toucanet s...