Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)

Identification & Behavior: ~54 cm (21.3 in). The Black-mandibled Toucan is black with yellow breast, throat, and cheeks. It has white rump and red on the undertail coverts. The lower mandible is black. The upper mandible is bicolored, yellow and black. The combination of black and yellow is unique among large toucans in Peru. It ranges at higher elevations than White-throated Toucan and Channel-billed Toucan.

Status: The Black-mandibled Toucan is rare in montane forests of the east slope of the central and northern Andes where it is known to range at elevations between 900 – 1850 m. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Tucán de Mandibula Negra.

Sub-species: Black-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus ambiguus), Swainson 1823.

Meaning of Name: Ramphastos: Gr. ramphestes= long sword, great sword. ambiguus: L. ambigere= to doubt. In reference to the taxonomic status of this toucan.

See more of the Family Ramphastidae