The toucans or ranfastids (Ramphastidae family) belong to the order Piciformes, like the barbets and the woodpeckers. Toucans are arboreal and inhabit the forests of America, from Mexico to Argentina. Their fame is due to their bright colors and huge beaks
The best-known toucan is the largest, the toco toucan (Ramphasto toco). However, there are more than 30 species. Do you want to meet them? In this article on our site, we review the different types of toucans that exist: names and photos.
Characteristics of the toucan
All types of toucans that exist have a series of characters that allow their grouping within the same taxon. The characteristics of the toucan are as follows:
- Pico: they have a long, wide and downward curved beak. It can be of various colors, black and white or yellow. Its edges are serrated or sharp and it has air chambers that make it lighter. With their beak, in addition to eating, they eliminate heat and regulate their temperature.
- Plumaje: the color of the plumage varies greatly among the different types of toucans that exist, although black, green, blue, white and yellow. A peculiar characteristic is that the orbital zone is usually of a different color.
- Wings: Its wings are short and rounded, adapted to short flights.
- Habitat: Toucans are arboreal and inhabit the canopy of more or less dense forests. They are sedentary, although they can make regional migrations looking for seasonal fruit.
- Food: most are frugivorous animals, that is, they feed on fruit. However, within the diet of the toucan we also find seeds, leaves, eggs, insects and small vertebrates, such as lizards.
- Social behavior: they are monogamous animals and live with the same partner all their lives. In addition, many form family groups of more than 4 individuals.
- Reproduction: After a mating ritual in which the male feeds the female, both conspecifics build a nest in the hollow of a tree. Afterwards, they lay their eggs and both parents take care of both incubation and rearing.
- Threats: The toucan family is considered vulnerable due to the destruction of its habitat as a result of deforestation. Although, according to the IUCN, none of the types of toucans that exist are in danger of extinction, the number of their populations is in constant decline.
Types of toucans that exist
Traditionally, toucans have been divided into two groups according to their size: the arasarios or small toucans and the true toucans. However, according to the modern classification, the types of toucans that exist are the following:
- Toucanets or tucancitos (Aulacorhynchus).
- Pichilingos or toucans (Selenidera).
- Andean toucans (Andigena).
- Arasaris (Pteroglossus).
- Toucans (Ramphastos).
Toucanets or toucanets (Aulacorhynchus)
Toucanets (Aulacorhynchus) are distributed throughout the humid forests of the Neotropics, from southern Mexico to Bolivia. They are green toucans of small size that are between 30 and 40 centimeters in length and the tail long and stepped. Its bill is usually black, white, yellow or reddish.
Examples of toucanets
The different species of toucanets have variations in color, size, bill shape and vocalizations. These are some examples:
- Emerald Toucan (A. prasinus).
- Derby Toucanet (A. derbianus).
- Green toucan (A. sulcatus).
For more information, in this other article we explain which are the 10 most endangered animals in Bolivia.
Pichilingos or toucans (Selenidera)
Pichilingos (Selenidera) inhabit the forests of the northern half of South America. They are characterized by having the bill tinted black and white or, sometimes, gray tonesAs in the previous group, its size is between 30 and 40 centimeters.
These jungle animals have a marked sexual dimorphism The males have a black throat and chest. The females, however, have a brown chest and a slightly shorter bill. In some species, males have a red and yellow stripe starting from the orbital area, while females do not.
Examples of pichilingos
Among the pichilingo species, we find the following:
- Spotted-billed Toucanet (S. maculirostris).
- Black Pichilingo (S. spectabilis).
- Gould's toucan (S. gouldii).
Andean toucans or terlaques (Andigena)
As its name suggests, the Andean toucans (Andigena) are distributed throughout the humid forests of themountain range the Andes , in western South America. They are characterized by having very striking and varied colors , both in the plumage and in the beak, and they measure between 40 and 55 centimeters in length.
Examples of Andean toucans
These are some examples of Andean toucans:
- Andean black-billed toucan (A. nigrirostris).
- Andean Grey-breasted Toucan (A. laminirostris).
- Andean Terlaque (A. hypoglauca).
And if these toucans seem striking to you, we encourage you to read this other article about The most exotic animals in the world.
Arasarís or pichís (Pteroglossus)
The Arasarís (Pteroglossus) live in the forests of the Neotropics or tropical zone of America, mainly in the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco.
The size of these Amazon animals is around 40 centimeters in length. Except for the banana arasarí (P. bailloni), they have a black or dark back, while the belly is colorful and often covered in horizontal stripes. The beak measures around 10 centimeters and is usually yellow and black
Examples of arasarís
- Green Arasarí (P. viridis).
- Azara Arasarí (P.azara).
- Collared Arasarí (P. torquatus).
In this other article on our site, we show you another 10 exotic birds of the Amazon.
Toucans (Ramphastos)
The birds of the genus Ramphastos are the best known toucans. This is because, of all the types of toucans that exist, these are the largest and have the most striking beaksIn addition, they have a very wide distribution, from Mexico to Argentina.
These jungle animals measure between 45 and 65 centimeters in length and their beak can reach 20 centimetersAs for its plumage, it is very varied, although the back and wings are usually dark, while the belly has lighter or more striking colors.
Examples of toucans
Here are some examples of toucans:
- Iris-billed or multicolored toucan (R. sulfuratus).
- Toucan toco (R. toco).
- White-breasted Toucan (R. tucanus).
And since we are in Latin America, as a curiosity, in this other article we will explain what are the Endemic Animals of Mexico - Complete list.
