Fiery-billed Aracari

The fiery-billed aracari, a member of the toucan family Ramphastidae, is a vibrant bird adorned with a striking bill and vivid plumage. This near-passerine species, approximately 45 cm in length and weighing between 225 to 280 grams, is a sight to behold. The adult boasts an impressive bill with an ivory stripe at its base, a black mandible, a predominantly red maxilla with a black culmen, a yellow tip, and a greenish base. Its plumage is equally remarkable, with a black head, neck, and throat, a chestnut collar on the nape, and red skin around the eye. The back is a blue-green, the rump red, and the underparts a bright yellow with a distinctive red band and central black breast spot.

Identification Tips

To identify the fiery-billed aracari, look for its large bill with unique coloration, the chestnut collar on the nape, and the red band across the belly. The females are similar to the males but can be distinguished by a darker chestnut collar and a slightly shorter bill. Juveniles are less vivid, with more subdued plumage and an indistinct bill pattern.

Habitat

This species thrives in the wet primary and secondary forests' interiors and edges, where it can be found from sea level up to 1,200 meters, and occasionally as high as 1,800 meters.

Distribution

The fiery-billed aracari graces the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, extending south into western Chiriquí Province in Panama.

Behaviour

Year-round residents, these aracaris are social birds, often seen in groups of six or more, sometimes including other toucan species. They exhibit communal roosting habits, with several birds sharing a cavity overnight.

Song & calls

The fiery-billed aracari communicates with high-pitched 'pseep' to 'sis-sik' series calls, similar to those of the collared aracari. It also produces a croaking call and a soft rattle.

Breeding

Breeding season in Costa Rica spans from January to April, possibly extending later in Panama. They typically lay two eggs per clutch and nest in woodpecker holes, which they may claim by eviction. Both parents, along with help from other adults, incubate the eggs and feed the nestlings, whose diet initially consists mostly of insects.

Similar Species

The fiery-billed aracari is closely related to the collared aracari but can be distinguished by its unique bill and plumage characteristics.

Diet and Feeding

A diet rich in fruit is supplemented by large insects, eggs, nestlings of other birds, and small vertebrates. These aracaris forage primarily in the canopy but will also feed on understory fruits, employing various techniques such as stretching, bending, and even hanging upside down to reach their food.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the fiery-billed aracari as Least Concern, with a large range and an estimated population of over 50,000 mature individuals. Although the population is believed to be decreasing, no immediate threats have been identified. The species is present in several protected areas within Costa Rica, but its range contraction in Panama warrants further research.