Aulacorhynchus albivitta
The Southern Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus albivitta) is a vibrant and charismatic member of the toucan family (Ramphastidae), known for its striking emerald green plumage. Measuring approximately 33 cm (13 inches) in length and weighing between 150-230 grams, its most distinctive feature is its proportionally large, bicolored bill, which is predominantly black with a bright yellow or orange base and often a white line at the culmen. A prominent white throat provides a stark contrast to it...
This species primarily inhabits humid montane and cloud forests, as well as forest edges and secondary growth, at elevations typically ranging from 1000 to 3000 meters in the Andes.
Its diet is omnivorous, consisting primarily of a wide variety of fruits (especially from the laurel family), supplemented by insects, spiders, small lizards, bird eggs, and nestlings, primarily obtained through gleaning.
The Southern Emerald Toucanet is a diurnal bird, typically observed foraging actively throughout the day, either solitarily, in pairs, or in small family groups. They often roost within natural tree cavities or dense canopy foliage, seeking shelter for the night. Foraging involves adeptly hopping...
The Southern Emerald Toucanet is resident throughout the Andes Mountains of South America, with a broad distribution spanning from western Venezuela, through Colombia, Ecuador, and into northern Peru. Specifically, it is found along the Venezuelan Andes (including the Mérida Andes), the Western a...
Least Concern
- The Southern Emerald Toucanet's large bill, despite its imposing size, is remarkably lightweight due to an intricate internal honeycomb-like structure of keratin and bone. - Unlike larger toucans, the "toucanet" suffix highlights its comparatively smaller stature and often more slender bill. - ...