Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Pale-billed Toucan
- Scientific name: *Pteroglossus erythropygius*, Pale-mandibled aracari
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Family and genus: Toucanidae, order Toucanidae, genus Toucan
Vital signs data
- Body length: No verification information available.
- Weight: No verification information available.
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
Distribution and Habitat
The Pale-billed Toucan is distributed in South America (including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands).
The Pale-billed Toucan inhabits warm forests and edge areas, and prefers to perch on treetops.
Appearance
It resembles a hornbill in appearance. Its upper body is black, with a deep red rump, and the head is usually black. The underparts are predominantly yellow, with numerous black or red markings forming a large breast patch.
The long beak displays a distinct color scheme, including black, white, and ivory. The beak edges are generally distinctly serrated, and the exterior is black or ivory, somewhat resembling teeth. Despite its large beak, the Pale-billed Toucan weighs less than 30 grams. Its beak bone structure is unique; it is not a dense solid, but rather has a thin outer shell with extremely fine fibers running through it, forming a porous, sponge-like tissue filled with air. Therefore, it feels no pressure whatsoever.
The tufted-tongue toucan is one of the few toucan species with obvious sexual dimorphism; the sex of chicks can be determined by their plumage when they are four weeks old.
Detailed introduction
The Pale-mandibled aracari, scientifically known as *Pteroglossus erythropygius*, is a medium-sized climbing bird.
The Pale-billed Toucan is also one of the noisiest forest birds, capable of producing booming, horn-like, and piercing calls. Its nest is built high in tree cavities. When eating, it first pecks at its food with the tip of its beak, then tilts its neck back, tosses the food upwards, and then opens its large beak to accurately swallow it, avoiding the time spent swallowing through its long beak. The Pale-billed Toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects, and sometimes raids nests, eating eggs and chicks.
The Pale-billed Toucan nests in tree cavities. It lays 2-4 eggs at a time. The smooth, white eggs are laid in an unlined cavity and incubate for about 16 days. The chicks hatch naked and take at least 3 weeks to open their eyes. They begin their lives about 45 days after hatching.
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