About Pteroglossus frantzii Cabanis, 1861
Species Nomenclature and Size
The fiery-billed aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii Cabanis, 1861) is approximately 45 cm (18 in) long and weighs 225 to 280 g (7.9 to 9.9 oz).
General Adult Appearance
Like other toucans, it is brightly colored and has a large bill.
Adult Bill Structure
An adult’s bill has a vertical ivory line at its base: the mandible is black, while the maxilla is mostly red, with a black culmen, yellow tip, and greenish base.
Adult Head and Neck Markings
Adults have black heads, necks, and throats, with a chestnut collar on the nape. Bare red skin surrounds the eye.
Adult Dorsal Plumage
Their back is blue-green and their rump is red.
Adult Ventral Plumage
Their underparts are bright yellow, with a red band across the belly and a black spot in the center of the breast. Their thighs are chestnut.
Sexual Dimorphism
Females differ from males only by having a darker chestnut collar and a shorter bill.
Immature Characteristics
Immatures have duller overall plumage, and the plumage and bill patterns are indistinct.
Geographic Distribution
The fiery-billed aracari is found from the Gulf of Nicoya on Costa Rica's Pacific coast south into western Chiriquí Province, Panama; it formerly occurred as far east as Veraguas Province.
Habitat
It inhabits both the interior and edges of wet primary and secondary forest.
Elevation Range
In terms of elevation, it mostly ranges from sea level to 1,200 m (3,940 ft), but is occasionally found as high as 1,800 m (5,910 ft).
