Bird · GBIF taxon 6540199
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
Ramphastos ambiguus swainsoniiAlso known as Swainson's Toucan, Yellow-Throated Toucan
Chestnut-mandibled toucans fill the Central and South American canopy with loud, yelping calls that sound remarkably like a distant barking dog. Their enormous, bright yellow and chestnut bills serve as thermal radiators to dump excess body heat during hot tropical days. Breeding pairs nest high in natural tree cavities, raising small clutches while actively defending fruit trees from rival birds.
TropicalFrugivoreCanopy Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Tropical fruits
- Tree frogs
- Large insects
Predators
- Harpy Eagle
- Large tree snakes
- Forest falcons
ThreatsDeforestation, forest fragmentation, and illegal wildlife trade
HabitatsHumid lowland forests, tropical rainforests, and forest edges
Life span15–20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyRamphastidae
- SpeciesRamphastos ambiguus swainsonii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses a large, strong bill that can deliver a painful pinch if handled or cornered.
- What to notice
- Recognized by its massive bill split diagonally between bright yellow on top and deep chestnut brown below.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a respectful distance and avoid using playback calls near known nesting trees.
Responsible observation
- Listening for Calls: Listen for loud, yelping calls echoing through the upper canopy early in the morning.
- Binocular Observation: Scan exposed dead branches high in the tree line where they prefer to perch.
- Fruiting Trees: Position yourself near active fruiting fig trees where small flocks gather to feed.
Close Relative "Keel-billed Toucan" by Andy Morffew is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.