Ramphastos
Bunttukan ( Ramphastos dicolorus )
The toucans ( Ramphastos ) are a genus within the family of toucans. They are found only in Central and South America. These are large birds with very eye-catching, sometimes very brightly colored beaks. They belong to the character of birds in their region.
The number of species is not yet fully understood; due to the very different plumage and beak coloration distinction was previously up to 14 or 15 species. Meanwhile, some toucans as the Zitronentukan, the Kulmtukan and Cuvier's Toucan previously described as independent species are classified as subspecies. The IUCN currently has eight distinct species, which classifies them all as uncritical ( least concern ). Most of the species are no precise population figures, but they are all at least still often regionally.
Appearance
Characteristic of toucans is a predominantly black plumage on the body top. The black plumage extends to all kinds of top of the head to the rump and tail. Exceptions are the Goldkehltukan and Küstentukan, in which feathers from the top of the head to about the middle of the back are also black, but have a dark reddish brown pen tip. For all species the upper tail ceiling and the under tail cover is not black, but either white, colored red or orange. The lower half of the face, throat and large parts of the breast have a yellow or white color. The rest of the body underside is usually black, while Bunttukan large parts of the belly are pinnate reddish. The tail is usually straight, in some species, but also somewhat rounded. He is barely three-quarters as long as the wings.
The longest beak among the toucans has the Toco. The males of the nominate race have a beak length by an average of 20 centimeters, the length of the beak Ramphastos toco subspecies albogularis is 18.7 centimeters smaller. Females of the Toco toucans have basically slightly smaller beaks in both subspecies. In the females of the nominate the beak length averages 17.9 inches.
The upper beak is strongly bent in all species of the genus, the lower mandible can also have an almost straight shape in some species such as the toucan. The beaks are colored very differently. The most colorful beak among the toucans have the yolk and the toucan. In these two species is depending on the subspecies the beak greenish, orange, maroon, brown and black.
The Bunttukan is the smallest species of the genus Ramphastos. The males of Bunttukans have a wing length from 17.7 to 19.0 inches. The beak measures 9.67 to 10.70 inches and weigh about 283 grams. Females have a wing length of 17.3 to 19.0 inches, a beak length from 7.93 to 9.15 inches and weigh 265-400 grams.
Area of distribution and habitat
Ramphastos species occur to the south of South America from the north of Central America. The most common type is in the south of Bunttukan which partly occurs south of 30 ° latitude. The members of this genus are usually waldbewohnende species. The Toco Toucan is the only Tukanart, the colonized and semi- open areas. Are populated predominantly humid, tropical or subtropical forests. They are prevalent in the lowlands, but some species inhabit the lower altitudes of the Andes.
Way of life
Ramphastos species are usually individually, in pairs or in small groups observed. There are omnivorous in their diet, however, the proportion of fruit predominates. Fruit -bearing trees, where they eat, are vigorously defended in general compared to other birds. As they leave the larger seeds fall and excrete smaller seeds undigested in their droppings, they play an important role in the spread of plant species. The Goldkehltukan carries example significantly to the spread of Talgmuskatnussbaums. 45 percent of the seeds of this tree, which are eaten by birds omitted on the Goldkehltukan. However, all species also eat animal food. These typically include insects, spiders, lizards, snakes, and occasionally small mammals. Toucans also rob regularly from the nests of other birds. In captive toucans has repeatedly observed how they do on smaller songbird species hunt. The Goldkehltukan was observed as he drove a double tooth ordinations females from the nest in order to then eat the eggs. Also, a common hunting with the partner bird by lizards was observed in this species.
Toucans are cavity nesters, using the usual natural tree cavities. Both parents birds are involved in the breeding and rearing of young birds.
Species
The following species are counted to the genus Ramphastos:
- Toucan (R. sulfuratus )
- Küstentukan (R. brevis )
- Bunttukan (R. dicolorus )
- Swainson toucan (R. swainsonii )
- Goldkehltukan (R. ambiguus )
- Toucan (R. tucanus ), several subspecies, including the former as an independent species led Cuvier's Toucan (R. tucanus cuvieri )
- Toco Toucan (R. toco )
- Toucan (R. vitellinus ) Zitronentukan (R. vitellinus citreolaemus )
- Kulmtukan (R. vitellinus culminatus )