Medium‑sized toucan (total length 42–55 cm, of which ~30 % is bill) with velvety black plumage, lemon‑yellow throat and chest bordered by a fine red line. Uppertail coverts brilliant crimson; rump and uppertail coverts sky‑blue. The oversized bill (12–15 cm) shows a kaleidoscope of lime‑green, orange, cerulean and crimson, yet weighs little because of its pneumatised bony lattice. Legs and feet are powder‑blue; iris dark maroon. Sexes appear identical; juveniles have shorter, duller bills and browner plumage.
Medium‑sized toucan (total length 42–55 cm, of which ~30 % is bill) with velvety black plumage, lemon‑yellow throat and chest bordered by a fine red line. Uppertail coverts brilliant crimson; rump and uppertail coverts sky‑blue. The oversized bill (12–15 cm) shows a kaleidoscope of lime‑green, orange, cerulean and crimson, yet weighs little because of its pneumatised bony lattice. Legs and feet are powder‑blue; iris dark maroon. Sexes appear identical; juveniles have shorter, duller bills and browner plumage.
Canopy and sub‑canopy of lowland evergreen rain forest, seasonally moist gallery forest and tall secondary forest from sea level to ~1 500 m, chiefly on Caribbean and south‑Pacific slopes; frequents fruiting trees in agro‑mosaics with > 30 % canopy cover.
Frugivore (> 80 % diet) consuming Virola, Ficus, Cecropia fruits; supplements with insects, lizards and nestling birds; major long‑distance seed disperser.
Social Structure & Behaviour
Activity pattern: diurnal; peak foraging 06:00–10:00 & 15:00–17:00.
Group size: forage in small parties of 3–12; communal roosts up to 30 in tree cavities or bamboo clumps.
Breeding system: seasonally monogamous; both sexes excavate / enlarge old woodpecker holes 10–25 m high.
Territoriality: loose; pairs defend ~1 ha around nest with bill clacks and croaking calls.
Communication: yelping “rrraak‑rrraak” series, snoring croaks; bill tapping; mutual preening.
Special behaviours: juveniles play by passing fruit or sticks bill‑to‑bill; thermal bill flushing visible with infrared cameras.
Can toss fruit up, catch and swallow whole items > 20 mm wide.
Bill surface area can dissipate up to 60 % of metabolic heat during midday rest.
Plays “bill fencing” and tosses sticks during social interactions in communal roosts.
Featured on Costa Rican 500‑colones coin (older series).
