This article is within the scope of WikiProject Central America, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Central America on Wikipedia. More outstanding tasks at the project's cleanup listing, Category:Birds articles needing attention, and Wikipedia:WikiProject Birds/Todo. Add taxonomic authorities to genus articles. Other : Add photos to bird articles needing photos ( search Flickr for free images).The Institute for Bird Populations ( more).Article requests : Endemic birds of Papua New Guinea ( more).But that’s the beauty of Costa Rica, a country where a cereal-box character like Toucan Sam can fly right over your head while you’re enjoying a bowl of Fruit Loops in the morning. If you spot one of these beauties near your rental property make sure to dash for your camera because they truly are rare birds.Īll of these toucans are extremely impressive in the wild, and so much different than anything you’re likely to see throughout the world. The red stripe is an instant giveaway of the Fiery-billed Aracari. Sometimes, they’ll also have a hint of red on their undercarriage.įiery-billed aracaris stand out with a large beak – orange and yellow on top and black on the bottom – and a belly that is bright yellow with a thick red stripe. The Yellow-eared Toucanet features a black body, dark green wings and significant green-to-yellow stripes near both eyes. The Emerald Toucanet is almost completely green with a dab of red around the eyes and a bit of blue near the chin. Their bodies and beaks are much smaller and not as colorful, but one glance is all it takes to determine that these birds are definitely part of the toucan family. Toucanets, both Emerald and Yellow-eared, are like micro versions of the Chestnut-Mandibled. More often than not, this species is found in Caribbean lowlands and on the north Pacific coast. Keel-billed toucans aren’t as common in the Dominical area, but they are out there. In terms of sheer natural beauty, the Keel-billed Toucan ranks right up there with the Scarlet Macaw, another treasure of the Costa Rican skyline. A rainbow-colored beak serves as a perfect complement to its yellow belly and face, black body, and blue feet. While slightly smaller in stature, the Keel-billed Toucan is a marvel to look at. They also use vast tree holes for nesting and giving birth, which is often two-to-four eggs at a time. In addition to being a photographic masterpiece, the toucan’s large, lightweight bills are perfect for plunging deep into trees in search of food. Sometimes they stage mock fights or even throw fruit back and forth, all in the name of good fun – at least that’s what the research suggests. It isn’t uncommon to see toucans travel in packs of four or more, and they can be extremely playful creatures. The calls are made to alert other toucans to “follow me,” likely in search of a meal. Like most birds, these toucans are extremely active early in the morning – this is the best time to spot multiple Chestnut-Mandibles in action – and their mating calls of “a-yip, a-yip” can be heard from hundreds of yards away. From time to time, they’ll balance their fruit-based diet by hunting small reptiles, bird eggs, and insects. With its long, multicolored beak – a combination of bright yellow, red and brown – and distinct mating call, these toucans can be spotted high in trees searching for papaya, berries, and palm. In terms of size from tip to tail, the Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan is the biggest of the species in all of Central America. Chestnut-Mandibled and Keel-billed toucans are the most common and recognizable of the species, and they’re the ones you’re most likely to see in the wild. There are six species of toucans in Costa Rica: Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, Keel-billed Toucan, Emerald Toucanet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Collared Aracari and Fiery-billed Aracari. In fact, if you’re planning a vacation at one of our rental properties, it’s all but guaranteed you’ll spot toucans gliding from tree to tree in search of a good meal. On the country’s southern Pacific coast, where the rainforest meets the sea, these striking birds are spotted with great regularity. If the closest you’ve ever been to a toucan is holding a box of Fruit Loops, then you’ve never visited Costa Rica. It’s all but guaranteed you’ll spot a few Toucans on your Costa Rica Vacation
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