Collared Aracari
The Collared Aracari have a pale lower mandible with a black base. The legs and feet are olive-green to gray.The serrated bill edge helps grip smooth fruits. Some groups have been documented using the same roost cavity for over 20 years. Despite their size, they can hang upside down like parrots when feeding. The species…
Pteroglossus torquatus
Scientific Name
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
Family
Piciformes
Order
P. t. torquatus
Subspecies. Costa Rica
Range and Habitat of Collared Aracari
Geographic Range
The Collared Aracari ranges from southern Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca) through Central America including Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, to northwestern Colombia and northwestern Ecuador.
Migratory Patterns
The Collared Aracari is non-migratory but shows local movements following fruit availability.
Preferred Habitat
This aracari inhabits primary and secondary humid forests, forest edges and clearings with large fruiting trees, gallery forests and wooded areas along rivers, old growth forest with suitable nesting cavities, partially logged forests retaining large trees, and occasionally ventures into adjacent plantations. It requires areas with large trees for nesting and roosting cavities.
Altitude Range
In Costa Rica, the species occurs from sea level to 1,500 m elevation, most commonly below 900 m. Occasionally recorded up to 2,000 m following fruiting events or in areas of habitat connectivity.
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the species occurs primarily on the Caribbean slope from the lowlands to middle elevations throughout. On the Pacific slope, it occurs locally in the Carara region and rarely in the Osa Peninsula.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Costa Rican Caribbean slope populations remain healthy in protected areas. Pacific slope populations are small and localized. Density varies from 5-15 individuals per km² in optimal habitat.
Major threats include deforestation eliminating nesting and feeding trees, selective logging removing large cavity-bearing trees, habitat fragmentation isolating populations, capture for the illegal pet trade despite protection, and hunting in some areas for meat or feathers.
Conservation efforts
The Collared Aracari is protected in numerous Costa Rican national parks and reserves.
Primary Threats
Major threats include deforestation eliminating nesting and feeding trees, selective logging removing large cavity-bearing trees, habitat fragmentation isolating populations, capture for the illegal pet trade despite protection, and hunting in some areas for meat or feathers.
Collared Aracari Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM)
Size
38-41 cm in total length, including the large bill. Males weigh 190-275 g while females weigh 175-250 g.
Plumage
Adults display a striking pattern with a glossy black head and neck. A distinctive narrow rufous collar crosses the nape, giving the species its name. The upper back is dark green to blackish, with a prominent red rump visible in flight. The underparts are bright yellow with a distinctive black spot or smudge on the center of the breast and a red and black band across the lower breast.
Distinctive Features
The large bill measures 8-10 cm and shows sexual dimorphism in pattern. Males have a black upper mandible with an ivory or yellowish cutting edge and tooth-like serrations. Females have a dark brown upper mandible with less prominent serrations.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males have black upper mandibles while females have brown upper mandibles. Males are slightly larger on average.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Collared Aracari feeds primarily on fruits including palm fruits, nutmeg family fruits and other large arillate seeds. During breeding season, the diet includes more protein from insects, bird eggs and nestlings, small lizards and frogs, and occasionally bats roosting in tree holes.
Foraging Techniques
- These aracaris typically forage in small flocks of 5-15 individuals moving through the forest canopy. They use their long bills to reach fruits on thin branches that won't support their weight. The birds manipulate fruits with the bill tip, often tossing them up to swallow.
Feeding Times
- Peak feeding occurs in early morning from 5:30-9:00 and late afternoon from 15:00-18:00. Groups are less active during midday heat. Intense activity during peak fruiting seasons of preferred species.
Behavior Patterns
Collared Aracari
Social Structure
These aracaris are highly social, living in groups of 6-15 individuals, occasionally up to 20. Groups consist of related individuals and adopted young from previous seasons. All members roost together in tree cavities, entering one by one at dusk. Strong social bonds maintained through allopreening and play. Groups show remarkable coordination in daily movements.
Song and Vocalization
The primary vocalization is a sharp, metallic “pseet” or “keesik” repeated several times. Groups maintain contact with soft purring or grinding calls. Bill-clacking is used in close-range communication. Young birds have distinctive whining begging calls.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Courtship involves mutual feeding and allopreening between pair members. Males perform ritualized feeding displays, offering choice fruits to females. Bill-fencing occurs with gentle bill touching and crossing.
Territoriality
Groups defend large home ranges of 50-100 hectares with considerable overlap between neighboring groups. Defense is primarily at fruiting trees and roost cavities. Aggressive encounters involve bill-fencing, chasing, and loud calling.
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Collared Aracari
Prime sites include La Selva Biological Station canopy towers and trails, Tortuguero National Park boat tours and lodges, Selva Verde Lodge and vicinity, Cope Arte trail near Guápiles, Veragua Rainforest canopy tram, Braulio Carrillo National Park aerial tram, Centro Neotropico Sarapiquís, Tirimbina Biological Reserve canopy bridges, rarely at Carara National Park, and Caribbean slope lodges with feeding platforms.
Best Time of the Year
Observable year-round with highest activity during breeding season (February-April). Early morning and late afternoon provide best viewing opportunities.
Common Behavior
Listen for sharp metallic calls of traveling groups. Look for flocks flying between forest patches with distinctive undulating flight. Check large fruiting trees, especially palms and figs. Watch for groups at traditional roost trees near dawn and dusk.
Recommended Gear
Essential equipment includes 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars for canopy observation, spotting scope useful for distant groups, camera with telephoto lens (400mm+) for canopy shots, and early morning positioning at fruiting trees.
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
In Costa Rica, breeding occurs from January to June, with peak activity from February to April during the late dry season and early wet season.
Nesting Sites
The nest is placed in natural tree cavities or enlarged woodpecker holes, typically 6-25 meters above ground. No nesting material is added; eggs are laid on wood chips at the cavity bottom.
Clutch Size
Females lay 2-4 white eggs, typically 3. In groups with multiple breeding females, eggs may be laid in the same cavity.
Incubation Period
Incubation lasts 15-16 days with both parents and sometimes helpers participating.
Parental Care
This species shows cooperative breeding with group members assisting. Multiple individuals bring food to nestlings throughout the day. Feeding visits occur every 20-40 minutes with various fruits and animal prey. Young fledge at 40-43 days, relatively long for the family.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Groups sleep together in tree cavities, packed tightly with up to 15 individuals in a single hole. Young aracaris play “follow the leader” games through the canopy.
Cultural Significance
Featured in indigenous art throughout its range. Traditional uses of feathers in ceremonial dress led to historical hunting pressure.
Surprising Traits
Groups maintain complex social hierarchies with specific roosting orders. Individual birds can remember fruiting schedules of dozens of trees.
How do I identify this bird?
Look for a medium-sized toucan with a black head, distinctive rufous collar on the nape, yellow underparts with a black breast spot and red-black band. The large bill with serrated edges is distinctive. Usually seen in groups making metallic calls.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
La Selva Biological Station and the Sarapiquí region offer the most reliable viewing on the Caribbean slope. Tortuguero National Park boat tours often encounter groups. Canopy towers and platforms provide best viewing angles. Rare on the Pacific slope except around Carara.
Is it endangered?
Listed as Least Concern but facing habitat loss in some areas. Caribbean slope populations remain healthy in protected forests. The species requires mature forest with large trees for nesting and cannot adapt to heavily degraded habitats.