Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus

Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus. Photographs courtesy of Dr. Tom Bartol, Carlsbad, California, taken in the coastal region of Costa Rica, February 2016.

Background and Identification

The Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus, is a member of the Ramphastidae Family of Toucans. Geographically, the Collared Aracari is the northernmost species in the Toucan Family. A frugivore, this species mainly consumes fruit and usually travels in groups of three to ten individuals in the subcanopy and canopy of the rainforest. Seasonal fruits are supplemented with insects and small vertebrates. They are also known to raid bird nests and steal the eggs of smaller birds. In Mexico, this species is called Tucancillo Collarejo.

They are mid-sized in stature, with an average length of 38 cm (15 inches) to 41 cm (16 inches). Their distinctive bill is often as long as the head. This bill can give these birds an awkward look, but it does not decrease agility. The name “Collared Aracari” comes from a red band across the middle of a yellow breast. This red band is one of the biggest key identifying features of this species. The upperparts of the bird are a glossy black, and the tail has a reddish-brown hue. Its bill is also quite colorful, with a combination of black, yellow, and white markings that make it stand out.

Habitat and Geographical Range

This species is found in wooded habitats, thickets, bushes along the edges of forests, and in cacao, coffee, and fruit plantations in humid environments. Elevations between sea level and about 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) are preferred.

The Collared Aracari is native to Central and South America, with a range extending from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern Colombia and Ecuador. In Mexico they are found in the coastal regions within the Atlantic Slope from Veracruz to the Yucatán, and within the Pacific Slope in the States of Oaxaca and Chiapas at elevations below 1,000 m (3,300 feet).

Common Misidentifications

The Collared Aracari can sometimes be confused with other toucans and aracaris that share its range. One species that is particularly similar is the Fiery-billed Aracari, Pteroglossus frantzii, which also has a colorful bill and bright plumage. However, the Fiery-billed Aracari has a more restricted range, primarily found in the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, and it has a bright orange bill that distinguishes it from the Collared Aracari.

Conservation Perspective

From a conservation perspective the Collared Aracari is currently considered to be of Least Concern with widely distributed populations, however their populations are declining. Deforestation to create areas for sun-grown coffee and other crops is decreasing the available habitat for this species. Conservation efforts for the Collared Aracari primarily focus on habitat preservation, ensuring that large tracts of tropical and subtropical forests are protected from logging and agricultural encroachment. Maintaining forest corridors is also important for this species, as it relies on these environments for foraging and nesting.