Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
The Crimson-rumped Toucanet, *Aulacorhynchus haematopygus*, is a vibrant resident of the northern Andean cloud forests, measuring approximately 30-34 cm (12-13.4 inches) in length and weighing 150-200g. Its plumage is predominantly a rich emerald green, providing excellent camouflage amidst dense foliage. The most distinctive field mark, and the source of its name, is a brilliant crimson patch on its rump, often visible in flight or when the bird shifts position. The bill, though large, is su...
Inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, typically found at elevations between 1,200 and 2,400 meters (4,000-8,000 ft).
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide variety of fruits, but also supplements its diet with insects, spiders, small lizards, and occasionally bird eggs or nestlings. Forages by plucking items directly from vegetation.
This diurnal toucanet spends most of its time in the forest canopy, moving deliberately through branches. It frequently forages in pairs or small family groups, utilizing its specialized bill to pluck fruits, insects, and small vertebrates from vegetation. During the breeding season, pairs appear...
The Crimson-rumped Toucanet is a resident species exclusively found in the northern Andes of South America. Its primary distribution spans the Western and Central Cordilleras of Colombia, extending southward into the Andes of eastern Ecuador. Disjunct populations also inhabit the Venezuelan Andes...
Least Concern
- The scientific name, *Aulacorhynchus haematopygus*, literally means 'furrow-billed' and 'blood-rumped' from Greek, directly referencing its distinctive bill and crimson patch. - Unlike its larger, more iconic toucan relatives, the Crimson-rumped Toucanet's relatively small size and predominantl...