Toucans’ range extends from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
Many toucans are very colourful; all of them have very large bills.
Most of the more than forty species live at low altitude, in warm, wet forests.
However, the four species that comprise the genus Andigena – the mountain toucans – are high-flyers.
They inhabit cool, humid, montane forests.
You are looking at a grey-breasted mountain toucan, Andigena hypoglauca.
The common name is inaccurate; the relevant breast is always blue-grey.
According to Wikipedia, grey-breasted mountain toucans’ altitude range is mostly between 2,200 and 3,650 m (7,200 and 12,000 ft), but in Peru some go as low as 1,500 m.
I photographed the pictured individual at an altitude of circa 3, 400 metres in the Colombian Andes, below Nevado del Ruiz.
Males’ and females’ appearance is “identical”, but for the males’ longer bills.
The pictured male was not in fact alone; his partner’s bill was shorter.
A couple of grey-breasted mountain toucans’ courtly/courting behaviour is a sight that no lucky onlooker is ever likely to forget.
Eventually, you too will be able to see it, via a multi-image Pelican Yoga post. Peggy Lee fans should particularly enjoy it!
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