Let’s talk about the Yellow-Throated Toucan

By Paul Gerace

I can’t think of another bird that I was more excited to see during my first trip to Costa Rica than the Yellow-Throated Toucan.

It is one of 6 different types of toucan species found throughout Costa Rica and one of two that can be found in our area. The other is the Fiery-Billed Aracari.

The Yellow-Throated Toucan is the largest of the 6 and are they are easy to locate. Often you will hear them first with their high pitched calls. They are not graceful fliers and can be seen moving about the trees hopping from one branch to another.

You will often find them up above eating ripe papayas in papaya trees and the fruity growths in cecropia trees. Besides eating fruits I have seen them raid other bird’s nests and pick out the eggs and even the young chicks! Their long bills help them reach the fruit and they actually function as a thermoregulator. This action helps cool off the toucan’s body temperature as heat dissipates through it’s large bill.

Just another one of the colorful and amazing birds that can be found throughout Quepolandia. See more bird photos HERE