Emerald Toucanet

The Emerald Toucanet is a small, chunky member of the toucan family, its plumage a rich, uniform green over almost the entire body, which provides remarkable camouflage against the foliage of its cloud forest home. The throat is often washed with pale blue or white depending on the population, and the tail typically shows a chestnut tip, while the eye is ringed with bare colored skin that varies geographically.

Its stout, moderately sized bill is bicolored, usually black along the upper ridge and pale yellow or cream below, a useful field mark at close range. Found mainly at higher elevations than most of its larger toucan relatives, it moves through the misty montane forest canopy and understorey in pairs or small family groups, its harsh, croaking calls carrying through the mist.

Key field marks

• Small, compact toucan with almost entirely green plumage
• Throat often washed pale blue or whitish
• Bicolored bill, dark above and pale below, with a chestnut tail tip
• Found at higher elevations than most other toucans

Similar species

• Larger toucans such as the Keel-billed or Chestnut-mandibled Toucan are much bigger with mostly black-and-yellow plumage, easily distinguishing them from the smaller, all-green Emerald Toucanet.
• Groove-billed Toucanet, found further south in the Andes, is similar in shape but occurs at different elevations and has subtle bill and facial skin differences.

Habitat

Inhabits humid montane cloud forest and forest edge, typically at higher elevations than lowland toucans.

Range

Found from central Mexico south through Central America and into the northern Andes of South America, with considerable regional variation across its wide range.

Migration

Generally non-migratory, though some altitudinal movement may occur.

Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups moving through the mid-story and canopy of cloud forest, hopping between branches while foraging.

Voice

A harsh, repeated croaking or barking call, less resonant than the calls of larger toucans but still far-carrying in dense forest.

Feeding

Feeds mainly on fruit, supplemented with insects, small lizards, and occasionally eggs or nestlings of smaller birds.

Nesting

Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes; lays 3-4 white eggs, with both parents sharing incubation duties.