Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name:絶斑簇舌巨托鸟 (Xinbancui Tunyu)
- Scientific name: Many-banded Aracari, also known as the Spotted Aracari or the Many-banded 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 Scaly-tongued Toucan is found in South America (including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands).
The Scaly-tongued Toucan inhabits warm forests and edge areas, and prefers to perch on treetops.
Appearance
The Scaly-tongued Toucan resembles a hornbill in appearance. Its upperparts are black, with a deep red rump and a black head. The underparts are predominantly yellow with black stripes and a few red feathers. The long beak displays a two-tone combination of black and light yellow, with a red ring at the base. The beak edges are generally distinctly serrated, and the exterior is black or ivory, somewhat resembling teeth.
Despite its large beak, the toucan weighs less than 30 grams. Its beak structure is unique; it's not a dense solid but rather a thin shell with fine fibers running through it. The porous, spongy tissue, filled with air, prevents it from feeling any pressure.
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 Many-banded Aracari, scientifically known as Pteroglossus pluricinctus, is a medium-sized climbing bird.
The Scaly-tongued 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 Scaly-tongued Toucan is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects.
The Scaly-tongued Toucan nests in tree cavities, sometimes raiding nests of smaller birds and eating the eggs and chicks. 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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