Pteroglossus azara
The Ivory-billed Aracari, *Pteroglossus azara*, is a striking member of the toucan family (Ramphastidae), renowned for its vibrant plumage and disproportionately large, colorful bill. Measuring approximately 32-34 cm (12.5-13.4 inches) in length and weighing around 125-170 grams (4.4-6.0 oz), it presents a dark olive-green to black upperparts contrasting sharply with a bright yellow belly featuring a distinct red band across the chest and sometimes a smaller red patch on the lower belly. Its ...
Found primarily in lowland humid tropical and subtropical forests, the Ivory-billed Aracari inhabits the mid-to-upper canopy and forest edges, often near rivers or clearings.
Their diet consists predominantly of fruits, which they expertly pluck and peel with their specialized bills. They also supplement their diet with insects, spiders, and occasionally small lizards or bird eggs.
Ivory-billed Aracaris are highly social birds, typically found in small flocks of 3 to 10 individuals, engaging in diurnal activity. They often roost communally in old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities, sometimes huddling together in tight groups. Foraging is a cooperative effort, with bi...
The Ivory-billed Aracari is widely distributed across the Amazon Basin in South America, primarily within the lowlands of western and central Brazil, eastern Peru, eastern Ecuador, southern Colombia, and northern Bolivia. Its range largely follows the major river systems, including the Amazon, Uc...
Least Concern
- The Ivory-billed Aracari's bill, though large, is remarkably lightweight due to its spongy, bone-like interior, making it practical for agile foraging. - They are key seed dispersers in the Amazon, aiding in the regeneration of fruit-bearing trees by ingesting seeds and later regurgitating or p...