Hooded Mountain-Toucan
Andigena cucullata
Beautiful toucan of Andean cloud forest that is found mainly in Bolivia, though it also reaches far southeastern Peru. Very colorful, with greenish wings, mostly blue underparts, an azure collar, and a yellow bill with a black tip and black spot near the base. It occurs south of the range of Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, which has a very different bill pattern. Typically encountered in pairs or small groups in the forest canopy, where it sometimes gives rising squeals, short yaps, and harsh rattles.
Identification
The hooded mountain toucan is 48 to 50 cm (19 to 20 in) long and weighs 222 to 380 g (7.8 to 13 oz). Males and females have the same plumage and bill pattern though the female's bill is shorter. Their bill is mostly yellow-green, with a black tip and a black spot near the base of the mandible. Their head is dark blue to black with pale blue bare skin around the eye and a gray-blue collar on the hindneck. Their upper back is chestnut becoming green and yellow at the rump. Their tail is blackish and their wings green. Their underparts are mostly sooty blue to blue-gray; their thighs are rusty and their undertail coverts are red.
Taxonomy
The hooded mountain toucan was originally described in genus Pteroglossus. It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Andigena cucullata
- Authority
- (Gould, 1846)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Ramphastidae
- Genus
- Andigena
Range and habitat
The hooded mountain toucan is found on the east side of the Andes from southeastern Peru's Department of Puno into western and central Bolivia as far as Cochabamba Department. It inhabits wet temperate and subtropical forest. In elevation it mostly ranges between 2,400 and 3,300 m (7,900 and 10,800 ft) but is known as low as 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-billed Cacique
Amblycercus holosericeus
Retiring blackbird of thickets and tangles. Heard much more often than seen, as pairs keep in touch with ‘question and answer calling.’ Creeps methodically in vines and tangles, and most frequently seen as it flies low across a trail or quiet road, usually with one member of the pair following shortly after the other. Note the pale ivory-yellow bill and staring yellow eyes, often striking even with a quick flight view.
Orange-billed Lorikeet
Neopsittacus pullicauda
A medium-sized, long-tailed parrot of upper-montane cloud forest and clearings. Predominantly green with a bright red patch from the chest to the belly, broadest in the chest. Orange bill and pale green streaks on the face. Readily seen flying in small flocks. Similar to Yellow-billed Lorikeet, but Orange-billed Lorikeet is usually found at higher elevations, is slightly smaller with an obviously orange bill and greenish undertail. Call, a ringing, high-pitch phrase “sik siruk!” or single “Sik!” note.
White-spotted Flufftail
Sarothrura pulchra
Small rail of forest understory. Shy and elusive bird that is unlikely to be seen by those not expressly looking for it. Both sexes show a red hood and tail. The rest of the body is black with white spots in the male, and brown with buff barring in the female. Found in the wet understory of thick forest and adjacent scrub and gardens. Call is a series of several hollow hoots, often given repeatedly. Most other flufftails are not found in forest. Separated from Buff-spotted Flufftail by the white spots of the male and the red hood of the female.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.