Curl-crested Aracari

Pteroglossus beauharnaisii

Toucans · Piciformes · Rare

The Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaisii) is a rare toucan found in 3 countries, weighing about 216 g. The curl-crested aracari or curl-crested araçari is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae.

Least ConcernRareEats fruitforestcavity nest216 g

About the Curl-crested Aracari

The curl-crested aracari or curl-crested araçari is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The curl-crested aracari is 42 to 46 cm (17 to 18 in) long and weighs 164 to 280 g (5.8 to 9.9 oz). It gains its English name from unique curly, shiny, black feathers on the top of its head and nape; they resemble pieces of plastic or enamel. Males and females are alike except that the female has a shorter bill. Their bill has a brown-orange line at its base. The mandible is ivory becoming orangey at its tip. The maxilla has an orangey culmen and a maroon stripe along its lower part that is wider at the base. Between them the maxilla is green or bluish. Voice: The curl-crested aracari's calls include series of "deep 'rrek' notes, soft 'rrr' to hard, even grunting 'grenk' notes". It also makes a "softer 'et-et'" when settling into a roost. Another author adds a "low, raucous 'cha-cha-cha cha wruh cha--'."

Where it lives

When to see it

Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, with peak activity in August. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Curl-crested Aracari?
The curl-crested aracari is 42 to 46 cm (17 to 18 in) long and weighs 164 to 280 g (5.8 to 9.9 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Curl-crested Aracari?
The Curl-crested Aracari is a medium sized bird weighing about 216 g.
Where can you see a Curl-crested Aracari?
The Curl-crested Aracari occurs in 3 countries, including Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
What birds look similar to a Curl-crested Aracari?
The Curl-crested Aracari is most easily confused with the Green Aracari, the Saffron Toucanet and the Red-necked Aracari.
Is the Curl-crested Aracari endangered?
The Curl-crested Aracari is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Curl-crested Aracari for real

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