Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Toucan
- Scientific name: Aulacorhynchus sulcatus, Groove-billed toucanet
- Classification: Climbing birds
- Family and genus: Order Toucanidae, family Toucanidae, genus *Green 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 toucan is distributed in South America (including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands).
Appearance
The Grooved Toucan's appearance is somewhat similar to that of a hornbill, with predominantly green plumage. Its back and wings are darker, and its tail has red markings. The beak is extremely large, generally bluish-purple, with a purplish-red upper half near the base. Despite its large size, it is relatively lightweight, weighing less than 30 grams. The beak bone has a unique structure; it is not a dense solid but rather a thin shell with extremely fine fibers running through it, forming a porous, sponge-like tissue filled with air. Therefore, it feels no pressure whatsoever.
Detailed introduction
The Groove-billed toucanet, scientifically known as *Aulacorhynchus sulcatus*, has three subspecies.
The call of the Groove Toucan is typically a long, off-key guttural sound, similar to frog croaks and dog barks, as well as a dry, clicking sound; it is also one of the noisiest forest birds. It inhabits mountain forests at altitudes of 1,000–3,600 meters, preferring to perch in the treetops.
When eating, the toucan 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 the food, avoiding the time spent "swallowing" through its long beak. It is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects.
The toucan burrows into decaying trees, building its nest high inside the hollow. Both parents care for the chicks, but there's no clear responsibility for night watch. Large droppings and debris are pecked out of the nest with their beaks, keeping it quite tidy. They lay 2-4 eggs at a time. Sometimes they also raid nests, eating the eggs and chicks. The smooth, white eggs are laid in the unlined burrow and hatch in about 16 days. The hatched chicks are completely naked and take at least three weeks to open their eyes. They begin living independently about 45 days after hatching.
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