Ramphastos

Ramphastos is a genus of toucans, tropical and subtropical near passerine birds from Mexico, and Central and South America, which are brightly marked and have enormous, often colourful, bills.[1]

Ramphastos
Choco toucan
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Genus: Ramphastos
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text.

Synonyms
  • Rhamphastos

Taxonomy and systematics

Extant species

The genus Ramphastos has eight species considered to belong to the genus:[2]

ImageCommon NameScientific nameDistribution
Green-billed toucanRamphastos dicolorusEastern Brazil, Pantanal of Bolivia, eastern Paraguay and far north-eastern Argentina
Channel-billed toucanRamphastos vitellinusTrinidad and in tropical South America as far south as southern Brazil and central Bolivia
Citron-throated toucanRamphastos citreolaemusNorthern Colombia and north-western Venezuela
Choco toucanRamphastos brevisChocó forests in western Ecuador and western Colombia
Keel-billed toucanRamphastos sulfuratusSouthern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia
Toco toucanRamphastos tocoNorthern and eastern Bolivia, extreme south-eastern Peru, northern Argentina, eastern and central Paraguay, eastern and southern Brazil
White-throated toucanRamphastos tucanusThe Amazon Basin including the adjacent Tocantins and Araguaia River drainage
Yellow-throated toucanRamphastos ambiguusCentral and northern South America

Former species

Some authorities, either presently or formerly, recognize additional species or subspecies as species belonging to the genus Ramphastos including:

Description

This genus comprises the largest toucans, ranging from 42 to 61 centimetres (17 to 24 in) in length.[1] All have black wings, tails and thighs, but the colour of the remaining plumage depends on the exact species involved.

Diversity of bills

Distribution and habitat

They are essentially resident birds, but may take part in minor, local movements (e.g., to lower altitudes in the winter).[1]

Behaviour and ecology

Breeding

They are arboreal and nest in tree holes laying 2–4 white eggs.

Food and feeding

All the species are basically fruit-eating, but will take insects and other small prey.[1]

Threats

The ischnoceran louse Austrophilopterus cancellosus is suspected to parasitize all species of Ramphastos toucans. Its presence has been confirmed on all species except the citron-throated toucan.[9]

References
  1. Short, L. L., & Horne, J. F. M. (2002). Toucans (Ramphastidae). pp. 220–272 in del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. eds. (2002). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 7 Jacamars to Woodpecker. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-37-7
  2. "Jacamars, puffbirds, toucans, barbets & honeyguides « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
  3. "Pteroglossus viridis – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  4. "Pteroglossus azara – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  5. "Pteroglossus aracari – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  6. "Pteroglossus aracari atricollis – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  7. "Pteroglossus torquatus – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
  8. "Pteroglossus bailloni – Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  9. Price, Roger D. & Weckstein, Jason D. (2005). The genus Austrophilopterus Ewing (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from toucans, toucanets, and araçaris (Piciformes: Ramphastidae). Zootaxa 918: 1–18. PDF fulltext


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