The lettered aracari or lettered araçari is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland tropical rainforests across northern Bolivia, western and central Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northeastern Peru. It favors terra firme and seasonally flooded várzea forests, frequently using river corridors and forest edges. The species also ventures into secondary growth and fruiting trees in disturbed habitats near intact forest. It typically forages in the mid- to upper canopy but will descend to lower levels when following fruiting events.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small toucan gets its name from the dark, letter-like scribbles on its pale bill. It is an active fruit-eater and an important seed disperser in Amazonian forests. Pairs nest in tree cavities—often old woodpecker holes—and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, undulating flight
Social Behavior
Often travels in small, loose flocks or family groups and may join mixed-species toucan flocks at fruiting trees. Nests in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, where both parents incubate and feed the young. Communal roosting in cavities is frequent outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, repeated notes and squeaky chatter, often delivered in quick series. Calls carry well through the canopy and are used to keep contact within small groups.
Plumage
Sleek, mostly green upperparts with contrasting yellowish underparts and a dark breast band; rump shows rufous to red tones.
Diet
Primarily consumes a wide variety of soft fruits and berries, especially figs and small palm fruits. It also supplements its diet with insects and other small invertebrates, and occasionally takes eggs or small vertebrates. Fruits are swallowed whole and seeds are later regurgitated, aiding forest regeneration.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid to upper canopy of primary and secondary rainforest, concentrating around fruiting trees. It also forages along forest edges and riverine forests where fruit resources are abundant.
