The red-breasted toucan or green-billed toucan is a bird in the family Ramphastidae, the toucans, toucanets, and aracaris. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Region
Southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Primarily inhabits the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, extending into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (Misiones). It occurs in humid evergreen and semideciduous forests, second growth, forest edges, and occasionally well-treed urban parks and plantations. Localized records reach into adjacent eastern Bolivia. It favors areas with abundant fruiting trees, including figs and palms, and uses large cavity-bearing trees for nesting. Fragmented but relatively widespread where forest cover persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the green-billed toucan, it is a characteristic frugivore of the Atlantic Forest and an important seed disperser for many native trees. Its oversized, light, greenish bill helps it reach fruit on slender branches and regulate heat. It often adapts to human-altered landscapes, visiting orchards and city parks. Pairs engage in mutual preening and playful tossing of fruit.
Skull of a red-breasted toucan
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with shallow undulating glide
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small groups that move through the canopy in search of fruit. Pairs are monogamous and nest in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, both sexes sharing incubation and chick-rearing. They roost communally and engage in mutual preening and fruit-passing behaviors.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are loud, gruff yelps and croaks that carry far through the forest. Calls often delivered in series or antiphonal duets between mates. Also emits harsh rattles during social interactions.
Plumage
Mostly black body with a contrasting white throat and upper chest sharply bordered below by a bright red breast band; undertail often shows reddish or whitish tones. The large bill is pale green with darker markings near the base and tip. Bare skin around the eye is bluish.
Diet
Primarily consumes a variety of fruits such as figs, palm drupes, and berries, swallowing small fruits whole and dispersing seeds over distance. Supplements diet with insects, small lizards, and occasionally eggs or nestlings. Opportunistic at fruiting trees and sometimes visits orchards and gardens.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly in the mid to upper canopy and along forest edges where fruiting trees are abundant. Will exploit second growth, plantations, and urban parks with large trees.
