| Black-throated toucanet | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Piciformes |
| Family: | Ramphastidae |
| Genus: | Aulacorhynchus |
| Species: | A. atrogularis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aulacorhynchus atrogularis (Sturm, JHCF &Sturm, JW, 1841) | |
| Subspecies | |
See text | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Theblack-throated toucanet (Aulacorhynchus atrogularis) is anear-passerine bird in the toucan familyRamphastidae. It is found inBolivia,Brazil,Ecuador, andPeru.[2]
The black-throated toucanet was originally described in the genusPteroglossus. What is now the black-throated toucanet was three of many subspecies of the then emerald toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinussensu lato). In 2008 theInternational Ornithological Committee (IOC) split 10 of those subspecies to create seven new species, one of which is the black-throated toucanet, and retained four of them as subspecies of their currentemerald toucanetsensu stricto.BirdLife International'sHandbook of the Birds of the World (HBW) concurred. However, the North and South American Classification Committees of theAmerican Ornithological Society and theClements taxonomy declined to follow them. In 2017 they did split the emerald toucanet into two species, the northern (A. prasinus) and southern (A. albivitta) emerald-toucanets, each with seven subspecies. They treat the IOC's "black-throated" as three subspecies of the southern emerald-toucanet.[3][4][2][5][6][7][8]
Threesubspecies of black-throated toucanet are recognized by the IOC and HBW:[2][5]
Like othertoucans, the black-throated toucanet is brightly marked and has a largebill. Adults are 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) long and weigh about 120 to 210 g (4.2 to 7.4 oz). The sexes are alike in appearance although the female generally is smaller and shorter-billed. The bills ofA. a. dimidiatus andA. a. atrogularis are black a wide yellow stripe along theculmen; that ofA. a. cyanolaemus is black with the only yellow on the tip of themaxilla. The bills of all three have a white vertical strip at the base. All three subspecies have plumage that is mainly green like that of other members of genusAulacorhynchus, and is somewhat lighter below than above. SubspeciesA. a. dimidiatus andA. a. atrogularis have black throats andA. a. cyanolaemus a blue throat. All subspecies have olive green legs and feet with dusky yellow soles.[9]
The three subspecies of white-throated toucanet are found thus:[2][9]
The black-throated toucanet primarily inhabits the interior of humidmontane forest but is also found in more open landscapes like the forest's edge,secondary forest, plantations, and clearings with scattered trees. In Amazonia it is also found in lowland evergreen forest.[9]
The black-throated toucanet is non-migratory.[9]
The black-throated toucanet is gregarious and frequently gathers in small groups.[9]
The black-throated toucanet forages by gleaning in the middle to upper levels of the forest, usually while perched. Its diet is eclectic and includes a wide variety of fruits, terrestrial invertebrates, and small vertebrate prey.[9]
Little is known about the black-throated toucanet's breeding biology. Its nesting season in Peru is from May to September. It nests in a tree cavity like others of its family.[9]
| Songs and calls |
The black-throated toucanet's vocalization in Peru is described as "a long series of grinding gruntsgrra grra grra...or barking yapsyak yak yak yak yak." In flight its wings make a whirring sound.[9]
TheIUCN has assessed the black-throated toucanet as being of Least Concern. It has a large range, but its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is "vulnerable to habitat destruction".[9]
