Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Tea-whiskered Little Toucan
- Scientific name: Selenidera nattereri, awny-tufted toucanet
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Family and genus: Toucanidae, order Toucanidae, genus Toucan
Vital signs data
- Body length: 30-35 cm
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
The Tea-Beaked Toucan is distributed in South America (including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands).
The Tea-Beaked Toucan is typically found at altitudes of 400–1,000 meters, primarily inhabiting lowland rainforests, and sometimes appearing in open areas with sparse trees nearby.
Appearance
The bird measures between 30 and 35 centimeters in length and is generally green on the upper body, red on the belly, and has bare sky-blue skin around the eyes. The male has a complete black crest, and its neck, throat, and chest are black. It also has a golden-yellow collar of feathers between its chest and belly. It has red undertail coverts and golden ear coverts. Sexing is distinct; the female's plumage is paler than the male's, and the black parts appear brownish. The sex of chicks can be determined by their plumage when they are about four weeks old.
It has a relatively large beak, marked with red and white stripes. The beak is actually quite light, far less heavy than it appears. It is covered by a thin keratinous sheath, and hollow inside, with numerous fine bony struts arranged in an interlaced pattern. The tongue is long, the beak edge is distinctly serrated, and there are no bristles around the base of the beak. The skin on the bare parts of the face and lower jaw is usually brightly colored.
Detailed introduction
The awny-tufted toucanet, scientifically known as *Selenidera nattereri*, is a climbing bird.
The call of the Tea-whiskered Toucan resembles that of a frog. Omnivorous, the Tea-whiskered Toucan feeds on fruits, seeds, and insects, and is sometimes considered a pest in orchards.
The Tea-Beaked Toucan typically selects trees with good wood to dig burrows, with an opening just wide enough for the adult bird to squeeze in, and a depth of 17 cm to 2 meters. If a suitable burrow is found near the base of the tree trunk, it will usually choose that burrow first, and then proceed with further digging. Burrowing is an important part of their breeding behavior. The nest has no lining; a clutch of 1-5 eggs is laid on sawdust or a rough layer of regurgitated seeds, which accumulates as nest building progresses. Incubation takes approximately 16 days; the chicks hatch naked and take at least 3 weeks to open their eyes. They leave the nest and fly away 45 days after hatching, after which the young birds begin their independent lives, nesting among foliage.
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