ANIMAL:Curl-Crested Aracari Pteroglossus beauharnaisii
Type of Animal:
Toucan
Habitat:
Forests, river edges, riverine areas
Location(s):
W Brazil, E Peru, N Bolivia
Appearance:
Shiny black curled feathers on head, orange-tipped heavy multicolored bill, whitish-yellow facial feathers, red upper back, green lower back, yellow breast w/ red blotches & single red band, long tail dominated by greenish-bronze, females have shorter bills than males, very colorful birds
Food/Diet:
Fruit, berries, eggs, young birds, insects, vegetables
Status in Wild:
Stable
Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, wildlife centers, & aviculture
Lifestyle:
Flocks of 2-12 birds. Break off into pairs/families for breeding/nesting season. Sometimes helpers aid in rearing of younger siblings. Also, sometimes fledged family groups join other birds.
Additional Info:Called:
Male: Cock
Female: Hen
Young: Chick
Group: Flock
Weight:
Male: 10 oz
Female: 6 oz
Gestation:
16 days
Life Span:
7-8 years in wild, 16-18 years in captivity
Height:
1.3-1.5 ft
Body Length:
1.3-1.5 ft
Tail Length:
4 in
Main predators are felids, raptors, snakes, crocodilians, & monkeys.
Sexually mature at a year old.
Females lay 2-4 eggs per clutch.
Serrated edges of bills help grip/gather food.
Like all toucans, they don’t have down feathers at any age & have parrot-like zygodactyl feet (2 toes forward & 2 toes back).
Also called Curly-Crested Aracari.
To sleep, they place bills on backs & raise tails to form roof over backs/bills.
Active during the day (diurnal).
Males often courtship feed females. During breeding period, males modify nest sites & coax females to it for approval.
Chicks eyes open at 23-25 days, becoming fully feathered at 35-40 days. They fledge at 7 weeks but stay w/ parents for 8-12 months.
Usually nest in hollow tree logs.
Has loud “eeee-yak” call.
Fun Fact(s):
These birds often fairly tame in captivity.
Bill honeycomb of bone containing lots of air.
Bristles along sides of tongue help bird catch/taste food before swallowing.
Able to adjust blood flow in beak.
Most frequently kept smaller toucan as pets after close relative Green Aracari.
Since they’re poor flyers, they often move around by hopping.
