Channel-billed Toucan

## About

A pair of channel-billed toucans, perching on a branch.

The channel-billed toucan ***(Ramphastos vitellinus)*** is a species of ramphastos toucan, that inhabits Northern South America. The channel-billed toucan is named for the longitudinal groove, or channel that stretches the length of their upper bill. The plumage of the channel-billed toucan is alike to other toucan species, having black feathers on their bodies and red feathers at the base of their tails, as well as white plumage on their bib-patches. This bib-patch also has yellow/orange undertones, which are extremely prominent in the Ariel toucan ***(R. v. ariel)***, a subspecies of the channel-billed toucan, which appears so different, it was originally considered its own species. Unlike the Ariel toucan, the channel-billed toucan has vibrant blue bare skin that frame its eyes as well as patterning on the base of its bill. The sky blue of the toucan's bill abruptly changes to black without fading or transitioning. The channel-billed toucan's bill can grow to a length of 18cm (7in) or even larger. The purpose of the large bill apparent in Ramphastids has been long debated however, modern ornithologists believe that the purpose of the bill is to cool the toucan down by regulating temperature. The toucan accomplishes this by controlling the blood flow of its bill extremely efficiently. Channel-billed toucans are among the larger toucan species, growing to a length of 50cm (19in) and weighing 400g (14oz).

## Diet

The channel-billed toucan is omnivorous however, it often eats a majority diet of fruit. The consumption of fruit is made much easier, by the channel-billed toucan's long bill, which acts as a way for the toucan to grab high-hanging fruit from a distance they could not typically reach. Despite the channel-billed toucan's love of fruit, the species is omnivorous and is known to prey upon reptiles, eggs, frogs, insects and the nestlings of other birds. Similarly to other toucans, the channel-billed toucan will toss its food in the air before letting it fall into its throat.

## Conservation Status

Similarly to other South American rainforest species, the channel-billed toucan is threatened by the encroachment of human activity -particularly deforestation-, in its range. The deforestation occurring in the Amazon is most often for the purposes of palm oil plantations however, often the reason may be to expand cattle farming or human settlements. Mining and drilling operations in the Amazon Basin have also led to a decrease in the species' numbers and continue to be a major threat, due to the frequency at which these operations occur. A more immediate threat is the bird's tendency to be sold internationally as well as hunted. In the near past the channel-billed toucan was hunted by settlers for its feather as use in decorative arrangements, as well as their meat which was sometimes consumed. As mentioned, the channel-billed toucan is exported internationally through illegal means, often to East Asia. The species is most commonly exported, as it is perceived as a popular exotic pet. Despite these threats, the channel-billed toucan is classed as a least concern species by the IUCN.

## Range and Population

Like all toucan species, the channel-billed toucan inhabits the rainforests of South America, where it can be found in the countries of Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago as well as French Guiana (France). Channel-billed toucans can be found in the canopies of rainforests as well as coastal and lowland forest regions, at elevations of up to 1,700m (5,577ft). Suriname has acted as a haven for the channel-billed toucans, as the country's rate of deforestation is far less than its neighbours. Channel-billed toucans occur most commonly near water sources, being prolific in swamps and inland wetlands. The exact population of the channel-billed toucan is unknown however, is thought to be declining. The IUCN estimates that the channel-billed toucan population has decreased by 30% in the years following 2002.

## Behaviour

Channel-billed toucans travel in flocks of up to 12 individuals, communicating to each other loudly whilst doing so. It is believed that channel-billed toucans are monogamous, mating with the same partner yearly, as opposed to finding a new mate. Whilst courting the toucans will allopreen (preen each other's feathers) and toss fruits at each other, while noisily squawking at each other. Males may grapple with one another to assert their dominance. The call of the channel-billed toucan has been described as low and croaking, sounding like *cree-op cree-op cree-op*. The female will nest in a tree cavity, laying 2-4 eggs after a gestation of 18 days. Both parents will incubate the egg for 15-16 days and contribute in rearing the young. Despite their alternating incubation, channel-billed toucans are impatient, often leaving their eggs uncovered ans unguarded. Once fledged, juvenile channel-billed toucans will leave the nest after 40-50 days and may join their parent's flock. After hatching, toucan chicks lack feathers, which begin to grow at 4 weeks, whether as the bird's eyes will open at 3 weeks. Channel-billed toucans and their subspecies are known to congregate while feeding, even interbreeding in some cases.

### Relationship with Humans

Toucans in general have long been considered highly valued animals by the native Amazonian peoples. These people do not eat the birds, as they believe that toucans are an important species that represent both the living and spirit world. Despite the indigenous beliefs surrounding the birds, the Amazonian people still often use their birds parts in traditional medicine and particularly use the channel-billed toucan's feathers for decorative purposes.

## In Captivity

Channel-billed toucans are often sold in the pet industry and though this export is not legal, the species remains quite popular as an exotic species in Asian countries. The species cannot be found in any New World zoos, it is instead a much more popular zoo species in European zoos such as; Berlin Zoo, Germany, Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands and Prague Zoo, Czechia to name a few, as well as Asian zoos like; Beijing Zoo, China, Tashkent Zoo, Uzbekistan and Hai Zoo, Israel.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22726222/211186796
* The Channel-Billed Toucan-Do Not Mistake it for the Toco Toucan! | Things Guyana - https://www.thingsguyana.com/the-channel-billed-toucan-do-not-mistake-it-for-the-toco-toucan/
* Channel-Billed Toucan | American Bird Conservancy - https://abcbirds.org/bird/channel-billed-toucan/
* Channel Billed Toucan | The Living Rainforest - https://livingrainforest.org/learning-resources/channel-billed-toucan
* Channel-Billed Toucan | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/channel-billed-toucan-1436/