Toucans

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Toucans
Swainson's Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Swainson's Toucan ( Ramphastos swainsonii )

Systematics
Sub-stem : Vertebrates (vertebrata)
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Woodpecker birds (Piciformes)
Family : Toucans
Scientific name
Ramphastidae
Vigors , 1825

The toucans (Ramphastidae) are a bird family from the order of the woodpecker birds (Piciformes). The family comprises six genera and 45 species . Today the 18 species of American bearded birds (Capitonidae) are also incorporated into the family.

anatomy

Toucans are medium-sized to large, short-winged and relatively long-tailed birds with a body length of 35–65 cm. The most noticeable feature is the huge, but lightweight, splendidly colored beak, sawn on the edge (ῥαμφἀστος means roughly " large beak "). Among other things, it serves to control the heat balance by reducing the blood supply to the beak depending on the ambient temperature (low ambient temperature) or increasing it (high ambient temperature). The non- insulated surface of the beak acts like a cooling radiator at high outside temperatures , dissipating excess body heat. The plumage of many species has bright colors, which often contrast with shiny black parts of the plumage. Yellow tones are very common.

What they have in common with woodpeckers is the structure of the feet, with two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backwards.

distribution and habitat

Blue toucan ( Andigena hypoglauca )
Leek arassari ( Aulacorhynchus prasinus )
Collared arassari ( Pteroglossus torquatus )
Green macaw ( Pteroglossus viridis ), female
Giant toucan ( ramphastos toco )
Fisher toucan ( Ramphastos sulfuratus )
Gelbohrarassari ( Selenidera spectabilis )

The toucans are found in the tropical regions of Central and South America . They are distributed from southern Mexico to southeastern Brazil and the province of Misiones in northeastern Argentina , where the subtropics are still reached. In the Caribbean islands, toucans are only found in Trinidad .

They are pure tree dwellers and colonize various types of tropical and subtropical forests, from tropical rainforests of the lowlands to mountain rainforests . Species of the genera Andigena and Aulacorhynchus occur in the latter .

nutrition

The toucans mainly feed on fruits , but also eat insects , arachnids and even small reptiles or mammals. Sometimes they rob bird nests as well. Animal food plays a larger role, especially with the Ramphastos species. In captive toucans of this genus, it has been observed several times how they hunt for smaller species of songbirds. The golden-throated toucan has already been observed chasing a female double-toothed harrier from the nest in order to subsequently eat the clutch. A joint hunt for lizards with the partner bird has already been observed in this species.

Reproduction

Toucans are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. Both sexes look the same. The female lays two to four white eggs . The eggs are incubated for two to three weeks. The young birds are able to fly after six to nine weeks. Both parents take care of the offspring.

Genera and species

literature

  • Lester L. Short and Jennifer FM Horne: Toucans, Barbets and Honeyguides - Ramphastidae, Capitonidae and Indicatoridae . Oxford University Press, Oxford 2001, ISBN 0-19-854666-1 .
  • Strater, Tex: Toucan Lexicon - for the friend, owner and breeder . Self-published 2000, 312 pages, continuous. Fig, bound Lex8 °.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Frank Gill and Minturn Wright: BIRDS OF THE WORLD Recommended English Names. Princeton University Press, 2006, ISBN 0-7136-7904-2
  2. ↑ BBC: Hot secret behind toucan's bill. Retrieved July 1, 2010 .
  3. ↑ Glenn J. Tattersall, Denis V. Andrade, Augusto S. Abe, (2009): “Heat Exchange from the Toucan Bill Reveals a Controllable Vascular Thermal Radiator”, Science 24 July 2009: Vol. 325. no. 5939, pp. 468-470 doi : 10.1126 / science.1175553 .
  4. ↑ Short et al., P. 431
  5. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet on the genus Ramphastos , birdlife.org, accessed on April 5, 2017

Web links

Commons : Toucans (Ramphastidae)  - Collection of images, videos and audio files