The channel-billed toucan is a near-passerine bird in the family Ramphastidae found on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and in tropical South America as far south as southern Brazil and central Bolivia.
Region
Tropical South America and Trinidad
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Guianas and Venezuela through the Amazon Basin to southern Brazil and central Bolivia, with an isolated population on Trinidad. Primarily inhabits lowland and foothill humid evergreen forest, but also uses riverine forest, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. Often seen in the mid- to upper canopy moving between fruiting trees. It may visit orchards or plantations that provide reliable fruit resources.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Named for the shallow grooves or 'channels' along the upper mandible of its massive bill, the channel-billed toucan is a conspicuous frugivore of tropical forests. It plays an important role in seed dispersal by swallowing fruits whole and excreting seeds far from the parent tree. Despite relying on mature forest, it can use edges and secondary growth, and it is often detected by its loud, croaking calls.
R. v. vitellinus in captivity
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically travels in pairs or small groups, sometimes joining mixed-species frugivore flocks at fruiting trees. Nests in tree cavities, often reusing or enlarging natural hollows. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties, with 2–4 eggs common. Pairs may maintain territories around nesting or key feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include loud croaks, yelps, and rattling notes that carry far through the canopy. Calls are often given in repeated series during dawn and late afternoon, aiding contact between group members.
Plumage
Predominantly glossy black with a contrasting pale throat that ranges from white to yellow, bordered below by a narrow black band and a reddish band on the upper breast. The rump and uppertail coverts can appear paler, and the undertail coverts are reddish. Bare facial skin around the eye is brightly colored.
Diet
Primarily consumes a wide variety of fleshy fruits and berries, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating or passing the seeds. Supplements its diet with insects, small lizards, and occasionally eggs or nestlings taken opportunistically. Frequently commutes between fruiting trees and may cache or manipulate large fruits with its long bill. Its seed dispersal behavior helps maintain forest diversity.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid- and upper canopy at fruiting trees, including along forest edges and in tall secondary growth. Will visit river margins and forest clearings where fruiting trees are exposed, and sometimes exploits plantations with abundant fruit.
