The collared red toucan or tucancillo (Pteroglossus torquatus) is a species of toucan with colors somewhat different from the common toucan, since the black and green tones prevail in its plumage. It is also known as “Arasarí de Collar“.
This species is endemic to Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Veracruz and the Yucatan Peninsula. It lives in jungles with warm and humid climates from sea level to 1,200 meters above sea level. Its main feature is its big colorful peak, which as in other species, serves as a body temperature regulator.
When it flies, it tends to emit a small squeak and, just like its cousins, it moves through the jungle jumping from branch to branch.
It is a predator that feeds on fruits, small lizards, eggs and chicks of other species.
It feeds on fruits, small lizards, eggs and chicks of other species. (Photo: La Verdad Noticias)
These toucans build their nests in the hollows of trees, however, these birds sometimes remove woodpeckers from theirs, in order to facilitate their own nesting.
It is a very sociable species, which is why it has no problem in sharing its nests with other birds. And it is not rare to find up to five or six family members in one nest.
The Arasarí breeding season begins in April and ends in June with an averge of three eggs per nest. After hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for up to 43 days.
Source: laverdadnoticias.com