Flower Eating by the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos Toco) in an Anthropogenic Landscape During the Dry Season

Abstract

· Toucans rarely feed on plant parts other than ripe fleshy fruits. Here, I report observations of flower exploitation by Toco Toucans (Ramphastos toco), in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This toucan fed on the buds, floral tissues, whole flowers and nectar of seven plant species. I made the observations in a highly anthropogenic landscape, mostly at the height of the dry season, when the availability of ripe fleshy fruits declines in the area. The exploitation of flowers reported here is consistent with an opportunistic foraging habit in which toucans resort to eating flowers to obtain nutrients, energy, and water when ripe fleshy fruits are scarce. Resumo · Consumo de flores pelo Tucano Toco (Ramphastos toco) em uma paisagem antropogênica durante a estação seca Os tucanos raramente se alimentam de partes de plantas que não sejam frutos carnosos maduros. Aqui, eu reporto observações de exploração de flor pelo Tucano Toco (Ramphastos toco) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Essa espécie de tucano se alimentou de botões, tecidos florais, flores inteiras e néctar de sete espécies de plantas. Eu fiz as observações em uma paisagem altamente antropogênica, principalmente no auge da estação seca, quando a disponibilidade de frutos carnosos maduros declina na área. A exploração de flores reportada aqui é consistente com um hábito alimentar oportunista em que os tucanos recorrem ao consumo de flores para obter nutrientes, energia e água quando frutos carnosos maduros são escassos.

Comparing different citizen science platforms for collecting urban ecological data from Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) in Argentina

“…It feeds mainly on fruits, as well as arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, eggs and chicks of other bird species (Moresco, 2019; Ragusa‐Netto, 2013; Ruggera et al. 2022; Silva, 2019). During the spring and austral summer (October to February), the species nests in tree cavities, laying 2–4 white eggs, which are incubated by both partners for 17–18 days and the chicks remain in the nest for 43–52 days (de la Peña, 2019; Di Giacomo, 2005; Short & Horne, 2002).…”

“…It is the largest species of toucan, varying between 55 and 61 cm in length, and between 500 and 860 g in weight, with a large beak, which can reach up to 1/3 of its total length (Short & Horne, 2002) (Figure 1). It feeds mainly on fruits, as well as arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, eggs and chicks of other bird species (Moresco, 2019;Ragusa-Netto, 2013;Ruggera et al 2022;Silva, 2019). During the spring and austral summer (October to February), the species nests in tree cavities, laying 2-4 white eggs, which are incubated by both partners for 17-18 days and the chicks remain in the nest for 43-52 days (de la Peña, 2019; Di Giacomo, 2005;Short & Horne, 2002).…”

Use of a digital citizen science platform to fill gaps in the diet of the blue-and-yellow macaw, Ara ararauna (Psittacidae)

“…Although the diet is known, we assume that such an investigation is essential to fill gaps and expand knowledge about the natural history of this parrot (Devictor et al 2010), for example, to determine its food plants in various regions, especially to identify new species vegetables involved in their diet. Ultimately, to promote effective landscape management and restoration initiatives and strategies aimed at the conservation of the blue-and-yellow macaw in multiple areas (Silva and Melo 2013).…”