The yellow-eared toucanet is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found from Honduras to Ecuador.
Region
Central America to the Chocó of Colombia and northwest Ecuador
Typical Environment
It inhabits humid evergreen lowland and foothill forests, favoring mature primary forest but also using well-developed secondary growth and forest edges with fruiting trees. Birds typically forage in the midstory to canopy and along ridges, stream corridors, and fruiting fig and palm trees. It occurs on Caribbean slopes from Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and on the Pacific slope in western Colombia south to northwestern Ecuador. It requires large trees with natural cavities for nesting.
Altitude Range
100–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The yellow-eared toucanet is a small toucan of humid forests from Honduras to northwestern Ecuador. Males and females look quite different: males show the namesake bright yellow ear patch, while females have a browner head. It plays an important role as a seed disperser for many rainforest trees by swallowing fruit whole. Despite a fairly wide range, it is sensitive to forest loss and fragmentation.
Temperament
secretive and wary in dense canopy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between perches; strong but brief canopy flights
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks at fruiting trees. Nests in tree cavities, often reusing natural holes or old woodpecker cavities. Pairs are presumed monogamous, and both sexes participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Its vocalizations are clear, high-pitched whistles given in spaced series, often as duets between mates. It also produces soft croaks and rattling notes when agitated or moving with a group.
