The spot-billed toucanet is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Region
Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, especially in well-preserved tracts of the Atlantic Forest. It frequents the mid to upper canopy, visiting fruiting trees and edges along riparian corridors. Also uses secondary forest and forest fragments when tall fruiting trees remain. It is typically local but can be fairly common where habitat is intact.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The spot-billed toucanet is a small toucan of the Atlantic Forest, noted for its pale bill patterned with dark spots. It plays an important role as a seed disperser for many forest plants. Males and females look quite different, a hallmark of the genus Selenidera. It is generally shy and keeps to dense mid-canopy foliage.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees, direct canopy flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, moving quietly through the mid-canopy. Nests in tree cavities, often in old woodpecker holes; both parents share incubation and feeding duties. Breeding pairs defend a small territory around the nest and key fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are low, croaking series and soft frog-like notes that carry through dense foliage. Also gives grunts and clucks during close contact. Calls are repeated at measured intervals, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Compact toucanet with glossy green upperparts and contrasting darker head and breast in males; females are browner on the head and throat with more muted contrasts. Both sexes show bright red undertail coverts and clean green wings and back. The bill is pale with distinct dark oval spots, giving the species its name.
Diet
Primarily eats a wide variety of fruits, notably figs and berries, swallowing them whole and later regurgitating seeds. Supplements its diet with insects and other small invertebrates gleaned from foliage and bark. Occasionally takes small vertebrates and raids nests for eggs or nestlings, but these are minor components. Acts as an important seed disperser for many forest trees.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid to upper canopy, often at fruiting trees along forest edges and ridges. Will also forage in secondary growth and forest fragments if fruit resources are available.
