White-throated Toucan

The white-throated toucan ***(Ramphastos tucanus)*** is a toucan species native to northern South America. As is apparent, the white-throated toucan is named for its pearl-white bib-patch. This colouration has led many to believe that the citron-throated toucan ***(Ramphastos vitellinus citreolaemus)***, is a subspecies of the white-throated toucan because of this and other morphological similarities. the plumage of this toucan species mirrors that of others, being black across its entire body and red and orange around its rump. The bib-patch is bordered by a red breast-band and the eye is framed with blue bare skin, as well as small blue feathers. The white-throated toucan's bill is majority chestnut and black in colour, it also possesses a thick, greenish-yellow longitudinal ridge on the upper mandible, reminiscent of the yellow-ridged toucan ***(Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)***. Blue accents are also present, most notably on the bird's lower mandible. Though the purpose of the toucan's bill has long been debated, it is now often sighted as a means of temperature regulation. The toucan can efficiently control blood-flow to the area, allowing greater exertion of heat in hot or humid climates. White-throated toucans typically measure to 50–61cm (19.5–24in) in total body length. Depending on the sex, this species fluctuates slightly in weight. Males are larger, weighing around 642g (22.6oz) whereas females average 580g (20.4oz). The white-throated toucan is the second largest toucan species.

## Diet

White-throated toucans are majority frugivorous, eating many species of canopy fruit and berries however, are known for being opportunistic omnivores. If available, the white-throated toucan will actively hunt insects( such as cicadas termites and beetles, eggs, reptiles (like lizards) and the nestlings of other bird species. White-throated toucans are very adaptable and have been seen also feeding on nectar, caterpillars and flowers. Toucans feed by tossing their food in the air before catching it in their throats. While feeding on fruits, white-throated toucans use their large bills to allow a greater reach, in order to acquire high-hanging fruits. They feed in this rather inconvenient way (at first inspection), due to the lack of dexterity in their bill.

## Conservation Status

The continued degradation and deforestation of the Amazon Basin remains the largest and most immediate threat to this species. Areas of forest are usually cleared in this reason for the use of the land by cattle and soy farmers as well to make room for increasing road infrastructure in rural regions however, they may also be cleared for the process of mining. Gold mining specifically contributes to threatening the white-throated toucan, as operations encroach further into the toucan's available range. Following a change to the Brazilian Forest Code, private land owners are obligated to maintain surrounding forest. This change has helped protect this and many other toucan species' range however, the code failed to punish those who deforested before it was enacted. The white-throated toucan is also threatened by acts of poaching. The birds are poached most often for their use in the illegal pet-trade, where they are branded as exotic pets. Specifically in areas of French Guiana, the toucan's population has dwindled, mostly due to the pet-trade. Wild caught individuals are most often sent to east Asian countries, where they are most popular. Despite the array of factors that put the species at risk, the white0throated toucan remains a least concern species, according to the IUCN.

## Range and Population

White-throated toucans occur only in northern South America, ranging from areas in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. Here, they appear in lowland rainforests, cloud forests and other areas close to inland wetlands. White-throated toucans also sometimes occur on the outskirts of these environments, living in tropical savannas and coastlines. Though the white-throated toucan's exact population is unknown, they are labelled as commonly sighted birds, enforcing the idea that they are likely not threatened. The bird's population in French Guiana however, is known to be around 500,000 mature individuals. It is believed that the white-throated toucan's decreasing trend may be inaccurate in some of its range, specifically, in its northern-most range, the toucan may have a stable population, whether as Southern toucan populations may be in decline. This data directly corresponds with the density of forest in its range, though habitat loss is not thought to be driving mass population decline. Overall, the population of the white-throated toucan is thought to have decreased by 1-19% over the past three generations (2021 analysis), whereas the population itself has declined by 9% in the same amount of time.

## Behaviour

White-throated toucans are social birds, flocking in small numbers and vocalising loudly while in groups. Unlike the croaking calls of the channel-billed toucan and its subspecies, the white-throated toucan has a yelping call; *eeo yeo yeo*. While flocking, the toucans will not travel far, only covering around 100m (330ft) before stopping however, groups in French Guiana have been known to fly from denser Central forests to coastal areas seasonally. 2-4 eggs are laid in a natural or pre-excavated tree cavity, around 3-20m (9.8-65.6ft) off the ground. during an incubation period of 14-15 days, both parents will take part and once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings are blind, featherless and completely dependent on their parents. The chicks will fledge at around 6 weeks however, their parents will continue to feed them, even several weeks after they have left the nest.

### Relationship with Humans

Toucans in general have long been regarded as valuable and spiritual animals by the Amazonian indigenous peoples. These cultures believe that toucans are representatives of both the living and spirit worlds. In more Westernised cultures, toucans are seen more as exotic pets, in regards to their relationship with humans. White-throated toucans in particular are often sighted as a more loud and vocal toucan species in aviculture. As said previously however, the purchase and export of these birds is illegal and is not to be encouraged or advised.

## In Captivity

As mentioned, white-throated toucans are often kept as exotic pets. Outside of these settings however, the species can be found in many zoological institutes. Beijing Zoo, China, London Zoo UK and Parc Zoologique de Lunaret, France are all popular zoos that house the species.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22682153/211269670
* White-Throated Toucan | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-throated\_toucan
* Red-Billed Toucan | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/red-billed-toucan-2137/