Collared aracari

Taxonomy and systematics

The collared aracari was originally classified in the genus Ramphastos. Alternate names include the banded aracari, ringed aracari and spot-chested aracari.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:

• P. t. torquatus - (Gmelin, 1788): Found in eastern-central Mexico to north-western Colombia
• P. t. erythrozonus - Ridgway, 1912: Found in south-eastern Mexico, Belize and northern Guatemala
• P. t. nuchalis - Cabanis, 1862: Originally described as a separate species. Found in north-eastern Colombia and northern Venezuela

Some authorities consider the stripe-billed aracari and the pale-mandibled aracari to also be subspecies of the collared aracari.

Description

Like other toucans, the collared aracari is brightly marked and has a large bill. The adult is typically 39–41 cm (15.5–16 in) long and weighs 190–275 g (6.7–9.7 oz) The sexes are alike in appearance, with a black head and chest and dark olive green upperparts, apart from a red rump and upper tail. There is reddish collar on the rear neck which gives rise to the English and scientific (torquatus) names. The underparts are bright yellow, with a round black spot in the centre of the breast and a red-tinted black band across the belly. The thighs are chestnut.

The bare facial skin is black, becoming ruddy behind the yellow eye. The upper mandible of the bill is dull yellow, marked with a black saw-tooth pattern on the cutting edge, and a black tip. The lower mandible is black, and the legs are green.

Juvenile collared aracaris are much duller, with sooty-black head and brownish green upperparts. The red rump and yellow underparts are paler, and the breast spot, belly band and bill pattern are indistinct.

The call of the collared aracari is a loud, sharp pseek, or peeseek.

Behaviour and ecology

Small flocks, usually consisting of 6-15 birds, move through the forest with a rapid direct flight.

Breeding

The collared aracari is a common resident breeder in lowland forests and slightly more open woodland. The 3 white eggs are laid in an unlined natural cavity or old woodpecker nest high in a tree.

Both sexes incubate the eggs for about 16 days, and the toucan chicks remain in the nest after hatching. They are blind and naked at birth, and have short bills and specialised pads on their heels to protect them from the rough floor of the nest. They are fed by both parents, assisted by up to three other adults, probably from a previous brood, and fledge after about 6 weeks, with feeding by the adults continuing for several weeks after leaving the nest.

The aracaris are unusual for toucans in that they roost socially throughout the year, up to six adults and fledged young sleeping in the same hole with tails folded over their backs.

Food and feeding

This species is primarily an arboreal fruit-eater, but will also take insects, lizards, eggs, and other small prey.