23 Types of Toucans: SpeciesIdentificationand Photos

One bird stands out in the lush tropical forests for its vibrant colors and largedistinct beak: the toucan. This head-turning feature helps it eat fruits and attract mates. With over 40 speciesthese avians exemplify diversity. In this postyou will learn about the distinguishing characteristics and behaviors of different types of toucan species.

Toucan Classification

Toucans are tropical birds that live in rainforests of Central and South America. They are known for their large bills and colorful feathers. They belong to the Ramphastidae familywith 43 recognized species distributed among five distinct genera².

Ramphastosor simply toucansdistinguish themselves with colorful bills and are renowned for harboring eight species across Central and South America. NextPteroglossuscommonly called Aracarishouses 14 species primarily distributed in tropical rainforests. 

Moving higher in altitudewe find Andigenaor mountain toucanswith their four species in the Andes. FourthlyAulacorhynchusknown as green toucanetshas about 11 species. Lastlythe genus Seleniderathe dichromatic toucanetsencloses six species exhibiting a unique gender-based color variation.

In the following sectionslearn more about the distinctions of some of the toucan species in detail.

Read more: Toucan Facts.

23 Types of Toucans

Quick links to the different types of toucans:

1. Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)

The Toco Toucan is the largest member of the toucan family. It features a vibrantoversized beak made of lightweighthollow keratin. The beak helps the toucan reach and peel fruitsregulate its body temperatureand participate in mating rituals. 

The bird's body is blackwith a white throat and chest and blue eyes encircled by a patch of orange skin. 

Toco Toucans move slowly in dense vegetationfeeding on fruitsinsectssmall reptileseggsand occasionally other birds for protein. Moreoverthey eat fruit by tossing it and catching it with their beak. 

The large bill of the Toco Toucanaccounting for a third of its body lengthis believed to serve as a thermoregulator primarily. The bird uses it as an effective heat radiator by altering blood flow¹.

2. Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus)

The Channel-billed Toucan lives in South American rainforests. It has a compact body and a largebrightly colored billprimarily yellow with a black tip and a hint of red-orange at its base. 

These toucans often form groups and communicate with one another through distinct calls. They mainly eat tropical fruitswhich they catch with their beaks. 

3. Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

The Kell-Billed Toucan inhabits tropical rainforests from Central to South Americaincluding the western Central Valley. Its bill mixes greenredblueand orange.

Moreovertheir lightweight beaks help them feedperform mating displaysand protect themselves. In humidhigh-altitude foreststoucans often form groups and make distinct calls to communicate and mark territory. Despite their sizethey are remarkably agile flyers. 

4. Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)

The Yellow-throated Toucanor Black-Mandibled Toucanlives in the rainforests of Central and South America. It is mostly blackwith a marked maroon hue on the back. The vibrant yellow face and throataccentuated by crimson under-bandsgive it its name. 

Subspecies showcase distinctive eye-ring colors and mandible toneswith the chestnut-mandibled toucan presenting a chestnut mandibleemphasizing the subtle inter-species diversities,

Moreoverthe beak enables the bird to reach fruits on delicate branches. Regarding dietit disperses seeds as it consumes tropical fruits. It also consumes insectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. 

5. Red-billed Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus)

The Red-billed Toucan or White-throated toucan lives in the rainforests of South America. As its name indicatesit has a large red bill with a white throat. It also makes croaking calls and often gathers in small groups. 

6. Choco Toucan (Ramphastos brevis)

The Choco Toucan is native to the Choco biogeographic region in Colombia and Ecuador. It has glossy black feathersa yellow chestand an oversizedcurved bill with a light green hue that ends in a red tip. 

Moreoverthe bird primarily inhabits dense tropical and subtropical forestsfeeding on fruitsinsectseggsand small vertebrates. These birds also support forest biodiversity by dispersing seeds around the forest floor. 

7. Citron-throated Toucan (Ramphastos citreolaemus)

The Citron-throated Toucan is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. It has a black coatyellow throatand a greenelongated bill. 

Moreoverthis bird often forms small flockscommunicating through various sounds. Its diet includes fruitsinsectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. The toucan maintains forest biodiversity through seed dispersion and pest control.

8. Green-billed Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus)

The Green-billed Toucan is a medium-sized bird with a distinct green bill. It measures 22 inches and forms groups of five to six members. Their diet consists of fruitsinsectsand small reptiles. 

Moreoverthey communicate with distinctivelow-croaking sounds and observe communal nestingoften using tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker nests. For instancemales and females take turns incubating their 2 to 4 eggs and nurturing the chicks.

9. Saffron Toucanet (Pteroglossus bailloni)

The Saffron Toucanet lives in the Atlantic Forest of South America. It has a yellow-orange head and chesta shorter and stouter beakand a mostly green plumage. 

The Saffron Toucanet feeds on fruitsinsectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. It also forms pairs or small groups and makes a distinctive 'peeping' call.

10. Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis)

The Chestnut-eared Aracari is a medium-sized toucan that measures around 16 inches. It has black and yellow plumage with a chestnut hue around its ears. Moreoverits beak is yellow with a black tip and a red-orange stripe. 

 It usually lives in the rainforests of BrazilBoliviaand Colombia. Regarding dietit primarily feeds on fruits and insects but may consume small birds and reptiles. The bird can catch insects mid-air using its oversized beak.

11. Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)

The Collared Aracari is a medium-sized toucanapproximately 16 inches long and weighing around eight ounces. It lives in the forests of Central and South Americaparticularly the North Pacific slope in the Guanacaste Province.  

Moreoverit has a black headneckchesta bright yellow bellya red rumpand a vibrant red-and-yellow collar. It also has a largecurved billprimarily yellowwith a black spot at the tip. 

This species also gathers in groups of up to 15. When nestingseveral females lay their eggs in the same nest and take turns caring for the eggs and chicks. 

Additionallythe Collared Aracari is an agile climber adept at moving through the dense network of branches in the rainforest. 

12. Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii)

Residing on the Pacific coast of Costa RicaThe fiery-billed aracari boasts a vividly colored billblack mandibleand largely red maxilla adorned with a yellowish tip. Its body features a blue-green back and red rumpcontrasted by bright yellow underparts with a red belly band. Chestnut thighs and a black throat further enhance its flaming look.

13. Plate-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena laminirostris)

The Plate-billed Mountain Toucan lives in Ecuador and Colombia’s sections of the Andes. It has a colorful beak and spreads seeds to promote forest regeneration. 

It has a two-toned billblack at the front and red at the backfeaturing a namesake yellow plate on the upper mandible. Its yellow under-eye and turquoise upper-eye area complement the black crownbronze-olive upper partsand blue-gray underparts with conspicuous yellow patches. Noteworthy are the yellow rumpblack tail with chestnut tipsvibrant red vent areaand maroon thighs.

14. Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca)

The Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan lives in the Andes11,400 feet above sea levelin ColombiaEcuadorand Peru. These types of mountain toucans have grey and white plumagea black-crowned headand a red undertail with a colorful bill. 

The bird's diet includes fruitsinsectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. It also disperses seeds to support forest regeneration.

15. Hooded Mountain Toucan (Andigena cucullata)

The Hooded Mountain Toucan lives in the high-altitude cloud forests of ColombiaEcuadorand Peru. Its head has a distinct blackish 'hood' and a colorful bill that transitions from blue to vivid yellowwhich helps regulate its temperature. 

This bird consumes fruitsinsectseggsand small vertebrates. It disperses seeds and promotes biodiversity in its native habitats. Moreoverthe species often form pairs or small groupscommunicating through unique vocalizations. 

16. Black-billed Mountain Toucan (Andigena nigrirostris)

The Black-billed Mountain Toucan is native to the Andean highlands of South America. It has a black bill with a yellow tip and black feathersa blue-grey collarand red lower tail feathers.

Adults typically measure 20 inches. The black-billed mountain toucan lives in humid mountain forests and degraded areas 11,000 feet above sea level. It eats fruitsinsectseggsand small vertebrates. It disperses seeds and promotes forest regeneration.

17. Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)

The Emerald Toucanet lives in mountainous regions from Mexico to northern Venezuela and Peru. It boasts a bright green plumagelighter on the underside. It has a white throatgreen-yellow flankschestnut undertail covertsand a large bill with a yellow maxilla and black mandible. Unique tail colors vary from green to bluewith chestnut tips.

It prefers humid forests and woodland habitats 9,000 feet above sea level. Stillthey can adapt to altered landscapes. Its diet consists mainly of fruits but includes insectssmall lizardseggsand occasionally small birds.

18. Blue-throated Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis)

Residing in Central Americathe Blue-throated Toucanet is characterized by a large black bill with a yellow stripe along its ridge and a white strip at its base. Its feathers are primarily greensubtly transitioning to a lighter hue below. The species also features a deep blue throat and a chestnut tail basewith its upper tail surface shifting to blue towards the end.

19. Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)

The Crimson-rumped Toucanet lives in South America's humid forests. It has a dominant green plumage with a crimson rumpblue throatand chestand a black bill with a touch of yellow on the upper mandible. 

This type of toucan measures 16 inches and weighs around 10 ounces. It inhabits the verdant Andean highlandswhich span from western Venezuela to central Ecuador7,874 feet above sea level. Howeverthe bird can also adapt to lower or higher altitudes. 

It primarily feeds on fruit but can consume insectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. During the nesting period from April to Juneboth parents take turns incubating 2 to 4 white eggs and rearing their young.

20. Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis)

The Yellow-eared Toucanetfound in forests from southeastern Mexico to western Panamasports vivid yellow ear covertsa black bodya yellow rumpand a red vent. Males have a black throatwhile females have a yellow one. It has a yellowish-green beak with a black tip.

Moreoverit feeds on fruitsinsectsand occasionally small reptiles or bird eggs. The bird makes a distinctive call and vibrant colorswhich help it blend well with the forest canopy for camouflage.

21. Guianan Toucanet (Selenidera piperivora)

The Guianan Toucanet is a medium-sized bird found in the northeastern region of South America. It exhibits an appealing mix of colorsdisplaying a black crowngold "collar," and green upper parts. Its tail is greenwith chestnut feather tipsand its red undertail coverts stand out. Their distinguishing feature is the black and red beakframed by bare blue skin around the eyes.

The bird inhabits denselush forests and nests in tree cavities; male and female birds share parenting responsibilities. Regarding dietthey mainly eat fruitsinsectsspiderssmall lizardsand bird eggs. 

22. Tawny-tufted Toucanet (Selenidera nattereri)

The Tawny-tufted Toucanet lives in the dense tropical forests of BrazilGuyanaand Venezuela. It has a green bodya bill striped in yellow and blackand a tawny tuft of feathers as its crown. Additionallyit has a contrasting red rump. Despite its vibrant colorsits small size and the thick forest canopy make it challenging to spot. 

The Tawny-tufted Toucanet uses its large bill for foragingallowing it to reach fruits in high tree branches. It occasionally consumes insectseggsor small reptiles. 

23. Gould's Toucanet (Selenidera gouldii)

Gould's Toucanet is native to the rainforests of BrazilPeruEcuadorand Colombia. It is approximately 16 inches long and has black feathersa yellow-rimmed billand a patch of blue skin surrounding its eyes. 

Regarding foodthe bird primarily feeds on palm tree fruitsinsectssmall reptilesand bird eggs. It also observes ‘'bill-rattling' behaviorwhere it clacks its bill rapidly to create a resonatingrattling sound. 

Regarding nestingthese colorful birds often take over the tree holes made by other speciesand both parents take turns incubating their 2-4 eggs.