Birds · Piciformes · Ramphastidae

Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The emerald toucanet is a small toucan of intense green with a two-toned bill, black and yellow. It lives in the montane cloud forests of Central America and the Andes, where it moves in small parties through the canopy feeding on fruit and insects and occasionally raiding other birds' nests. It nests in tree holes and abandoned woodpecker cavities.

Weight

130 g – 230 g

Size

30 cm – 37 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

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Fun facts

Its enormous geographical variability has led the group to be split into several species: what was once a single emerald toucanet is now half a dozen separate taxa depending on the author.
It roosts in tree holes with its tail folded over its back and its bill under its wing, and several adults share the same cavity packed tightly together.
Unlike the large lowland toucans, it is a bird of montane cloud forest, and its presence is a good indicator of well-preserved high-altitude woodland.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Montane cloud forest and foothill forest from Mexico to Bolivia, between 500 and 3,000 metres
Sexual maturity: 2 years
Gestation / incubation: 16 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 3 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aulacorhynchus_prasinus