Breeding Aspects of the Toco Toucan and the Chestnut-eared Aracari (Aves, Ramphastidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado

Authors: Tubelis DP*

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000358

Volume 5, Issue 2

Abstract

Toucans are among the most conspicuous and famous birds in the Neotropics, but numerous aspects of their biology remain poorly known. The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) and the Chestnut-eared Aracari (Pteroglossus castanotis) are commonly found in central Brazil, where studies on their breeding are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine aspects of their breeding in the Brazilian Cerrado. Searches for photographs with evidence of breeding activities were done in the WikiAves database. Citizens produced 126 records of copulations, nests, eggs and/or young. Records of the Toco Toucan (n = 92) tended to be concentrated in central and southeastern Cerrado, while those of the Chestnut-eared Aracari (n = 34) occurred mainly in its central and southwestern regions. Nests of the Toco Toucan were in hollows of palm and non-palm trees, termite nests and a pole. They were in native or human-modified habitats, and had 2–3 eggs or young in the early rainy period (October- December). On the other hand, nests of the Chestnut-eared Aracari were in hollows of non-palm trees in unknown habitats; regarding these records, a single nestling was found in the nest entrance in November, and clutch and brood sizes were unknown. Records of copulations, eggs and young in the nest indicate that the onset of breeding season of both species occurs from the late dry season to the early rainy season. Records of young indicate that the breeding seasons might reach the dry season in the Cerrado. Citizen science can improve our knowledge about toucans.

Keywords: Bird; Nest; Ramphastidae; Reproduction; Savanna; Tree Hollow

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