Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Yellow-eared Toucanet

Selenidera spectabilis

The Yellow-eared Toucanet, Selenidera spectabilis, is a striking bird belonging to the toucan family Ramphastidae. This species is the largest and most distinctively plumaged within its genus, measuring between 36 to 38 cm in length and weighing between 175 to 245 grams.

Identification Tips

Males and females of this species can be distinguished by their bill size, with females sporting a shorter bill. Both sexes share a similar bill pattern, featuring a vertical black line at the base. The maxilla is a vibrant yellow with an olive brown triangle below, tapering from the base, and horn-colored tips on the tomium. The mandible is a dark olive to brownish black. Adult males boast a black cap extending down the hindneck, blue to green bare skin around the eye, and a prominent yellow tuft behind the eye. Their plumage is green on the back and uppertail coverts, with a blackish tail. The underparts are black with a yellow patch on the flank, chestnut thighs, and red undertail coverts. Females, on the other hand, have a chestnut forehead and hindneck and lack the male's yellow ear tuft. Young birds are generally duller with less distinct bill patterns.

Habitat

The Yellow-eared Toucanet inhabits wet forested slopes and ridges, as well as nearby secondary forests and fruit trees near the forest edge.

Distribution

This species is found from northeastern Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and western Colombia, extending into extreme northwestern Ecuador. It typically resides at elevations between 300 and 1,100 meters but can be found from sea level up to about 1,500 meters. In Honduras, it is not known to occur above 500 meters.

Behaviour

Post-breeding season, the Yellow-eared Toucanet is known to migrate from higher to lower elevations in Costa Rica and Panama. It is unclear if this movement is a widespread behavior or limited to younger individuals.

Song & calls

The song of the Yellow-eared Toucanet is a series of double notes, "tik-ett," which may be accompanied by bill snapping. Pairs can sometimes be heard singing in unison. Additionally, the species produces long and short rattles, which could be vocal or produced by the tongue inside the bill.

Breeding

The breeding season varies across its range, generally occurring from April to August, with earlier starts in Honduras and Colombia. Courtship involves singing, head tossing, and tail flipping. Clutch size is believed to be two to four eggs, but further details on breeding biology remain unknown.

Diet and Feeding

Typically foraging in pairs or small groups, the Yellow-eared Toucanet feeds from the mid-level of the forest to the canopy, occasionally descending to fruiting bushes near the ground. Its diet consists mainly of fruit, supplemented with arthropods and lizards.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Yellow-eared Toucanet as Least Concern due to its large range and estimated population of over 50,000 mature individuals. Although the population is believed to be decreasing, no immediate threats have been identified. The species' abundance varies by region, being "uncommon to locally fairly common" in the northern part of its range, and "rare to uncommon and local" in Colombia and Ecuador.

Yellow-eared Toucanet Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Yellow-eared Toucanets on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Toucans

A photo of a Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan (Andigena hypoglauca)

Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan

Andigena hypoglauca
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.