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Andigena hypoglaucagrey-breasted mountain toucan(Also: grey-breasted mountain-toucan)

By Lisa Naymick

Geographic Range

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are found in the northern and central Andes Mountains of South America, from central Columbia to southeastern Peru. They are an eastern-slope species and therefore are found mostly on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains, but in Columbia they also occur on the western slope of the Central Andes. The subspecies Andigena hypoglauca hypoglauca is found in the mountains from central Colombia to eastern Ecuador. The other subspecies, Andigena hypoglauca lateralis, is found in the Andes from eastern Ecuador to Peru. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Paulsen and Krabbe, 1998)

Habitat

Grey-breasted mountain toucans live in wet, temperate, montane forest areas, including forest borders, wooded gullies, and stunted woodlands near treeline. They are uncommon and local in these areas. Grey-breasted mountain toucans are arboreal and are often seen in tall emergent trees. This species lives at higher altitudes than nearly all other toucans, generally between 2200 and 3650 meters above sea level. Although some are found at the same altitude as black-billed mountain toucans (Andigena nigrirostris), they do not occur together. Occasionally grey-breasted mountain toucans are found at lower altitudes; for example in some places in Peru they can be found at an elevation of 1800 meters and in Ecuador at 1700 meters above sea level. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Hilty and Brown, 1986)

  • Range elevation
    2200 to 3650 m
    7217.85 to 11975.07 ft

Physical Description

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are usually 46 to 48 centimeters in length, moderately large for toucans. They have a black cap, nape, and face, green-tinged brown back, dark greener wings, and dark grey-blue underparts. In addition, the hindcollar is pale blue, the rump is bright yellow, the tail blackish to brown, with chestnut tips to the 2-3 central pairs of rectrices, the thighs are chestnut, and the undertail coverts red. The bare circumorbital skin is dark blue, paler blue at the base of the bill, the eyes pale yellow to brown, depending on subspecies (see below). Their large bills are mainly yellow to greenish-yellow, with the culmen and tip of the upper mandible broadly red, bordered proximally by a black triangle, and with a broad black vertical strap near the bill base; the sides have serrations (“teeth”). The sexes are monomorphic, although females have a shorter bill. Young of this species are duller, with muted colors. They have no marks at the base of their bills and they lack "teeth”. Only a few physical traits differentiate the two subspecies. A. h. lateralis has a paler yellow rump, a pale yellow flank patch, and eyes that are yellow to green with a blue outer ring. The flat wing range of males is 170 to 178 mm, the tails are 156.5 to 175 mm, and the bill length ranges from 85.5 to 102 mm. A. h. hypoglauca have a dark brown iris and are generally a few millimeters larger than A. h. lateralis. The typical adult male wing measurements range from 176 to 183 mm. Their tails range from 162 to 172 mm and their bills range from 88 to 100 mm in length. (Haffer, 1974; del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Haffer, 1974; Hilty and Brown, 1986)

  • Sexual Dimorphism
  • sexes alike
  • sexes shaped differently
  • Range mass
    244 to 370 g
    8.60 to 13.04 oz
  • Range length
    46 to 48 cm
    18.11 to 18.90 in

Reproduction

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are thought to breed from December to February in Colombia and from June to November in Ecuador and Peru. It is suspected that at these times in each region the number of plants that bear fruit is very high. There are no specific records of grey-breasted mountain toucan breeding behavior, nests or eggs. However, many generalizations have been made about other, similar toucans. Generally, mountain toucans breed in pairs, not groups. When mating they are not known to do anything elaborate. In some cases copulation occurs without a mating ritual. Their colors and markings do not change seasonally but are thought to be important in courtship. The most common mating ritual is courtship feeding, which is performed by all species of toucans. In captivity large toucans will kill other toucans of the same species if they are in the same cage once breeding has begun. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002)

None of this information is known. Other species of toucans lay between one and five eggs daily. Copulation still occurs during the laying cycle. In many cases the female will incubate the eggs more than the male. Data for incubation periods are only available for eleven species of toucans. The nestling period for all toucans seems to range between 40 and 60 days. It is rare for young under the age of one year to breed. In some cases, young are forced out of their family group. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002)

  • Breeding season
    Breeding occurs from December to February in Columbia and June to November in Peru and Ecuador.

Both parents care for the young. When the eggs hatch the young are naked and blind. Typically piciforms have short incubation periods but a long nestling period during which the parents brood and feed their young. Generally, adult toucans bring food to the nest either in their throat, stomach, or more often their bill. The parents use their bills as well to remove waste from the nest. No specific information is known about parental investment of grey-breasted mountain toucans. If breeding occurs in pairs, then presumably both parents contribute to the care and protection of their offspring. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002)

  • Parental Investment
  • altricial
  • pre-fertilization
    • provisioning
    • protecting
      • female
  • pre-hatching/birth
    • provisioning
      • female

Lifespan/Longevity

There is no data for the longevity of toucans in the wild. However, in captivity they routinely live for twenty years or more. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002)

Behavior

Toucans are social birds, usually being found in pairs or small groups. Unlike parrots, they don’t fly in compact bands. When toucans fly from one area to another, first one individual will fly and the others will follow one by one, with some straggling behind. However, they do all eventually make it to the same destination. Larger species of toucans have a flapping and gliding flight. Grey-breasted mountain toucans are arboreal, spending most time in tree canopies. (Campbell, et al., 1985)

Communication and Perception

The song of grey-breasted mountain toucans is a loud, low, slowly rising, rather cat-like "gweeeeeeeeeat" lasting from 1.75 to over 2 seconds. This is the longest known piciform note. They will repeat this song slowly at 24 to 36 per minute. They also occasionally make variable bill rattling sounds. In alarm or aggression, grey-breasted mountain toucans give a single or irregularly repeated sharp "wek" note, and in alarm they sometimes add bill-snapping. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Paulsen and Krabbe, 1998)

Food Habits

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are mainly frugivorous. They eat various fruits and berries including Rubus and Cecropia. In a recent study, 100% of the stomach contents found in a sample of fourteen grey-breasted mountain toucans was fruit. However, animals may be fed to the young. Grey-breasted mountain toucans may forage for food alone, in pairs, or in groups of up to six. They search for food both near the ground and near the top of the canopy. While searching for food they are generally very quiet. While feeding they are able to hang upside-down. Occasionally, they will join flocks of tanagers, thrushes, and New World blackbirds while foraging. (Campbell, et al., 1985; del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Remsen, et al., 2003)

  • Plant Foods
  • seeds, grains, and nuts
  • fruit

Predation

Specific predators of grey-breasted mountain toucans are unknown.

Ecosystem Roles

Little is known about specific ecosystem roles of grey-breasted mountain toucans. However, toucans as a group suffer from predation during their breeding times. Snakes take eggs from the nests of toucans, decreasing reproductive success. Flightless or poorly flighted young are also more susceptible to predation than adults. Grey-breasted mountain toucans eat mostly seeds and berries. When they carry these foods in their bills some drop to the ground and become dispersed. This helps to spread plant growth in their ecosystem. Grey-breasted mountain toucans are evidently the sole known hosts for the parasitic chewing louse Austrophilopterus andigenae (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae), which feeds on feathers of the head and neck. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Weckstein, 2004)

  • Ecosystem Impact
  • disperses seeds
Commensal/Parasitic Species
  • Austrophilopterus andigenae

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are very aesthetically pleasing to the human eye, with their very brightly colored, attractive plumage. The fact that many bird-watchers travel to the Andes to see these beautiful birds, among many others, can provide economic benefits to some local economies.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no known adverse effects of grey-breasted mountain toucans on humans.

Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, in 1988 grey-breasted mountain toucans were considered threatened. However, in 1994 their status was lowered to near threatened/lower risk. Reasons that this species belongs on the nearly threatened list include: habitat loss and degradation due to agriculture, livestock, mining, and small scale subsistence farming. The majority of degradation is occurring at lower altitudes, which mountain toucans do not occupy. However, some of the higher zones that include their elevational range are being cleared as well. Problems appear to be most severe in Colombia and least severe in southeastern Peru. Several protected areas have been named that should safeguard habitat of this species, for instance Las Cajas National Recreation Area and Podocarpus National Park in Ecuador. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002; Weckstein, 2004)

Other Comments

Grey-breasted mountain toucans are one of the four species in the genus Andigena, known as mountain toucans. This genus is characterized by their denser, more lax plumage than in other large toucans, correlated with the higher altitudes they inhabit. They also have a relatively shallow, broad-based, long bills compared to most other toucans. Grey-breasted mountain toucans of the isolated canyons of the Andes are thought to have a limited exchange of species and a smaller gene flow than in more open areas. Little is known about the genus Andigena relative to other species of toucans. (del Hoyo, et al., 2002)

Contributors

Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web.

Lisa Naymick (author), Michigan State University, Pamela Rasmussen (editor, instructor), Michigan State University.

Glossary

Neotropical

living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.

World Map

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

altricial

young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.

arboreal

Referring to an animal that lives in trees; tree-climbing.

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

ecotourism

humans benefit economically by promoting tourism that focuses on the appreciation of natural areas or animals. Ecotourism implies that there are existing programs that profit from the appreciation of natural areas or animals.

endothermic

animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.

forest

forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.

frugivore

an animal that mainly eats fruit

herbivore

An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.

iteroparous

offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

mountains

This terrestrial biome includes summits of high mountains, either without vegetation or covered by low, tundra-like vegetation.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

nomadic

generally wanders from place to place, usually within a well-defined range.

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

social

associates with others of its species; forms social groups.

tactile

uses touch to communicate

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

visual

uses sight to communicate

References

Campbell, B., E. Lack, eds.. 1985. A Dictionary of Birds. Vermillion: Buteo Books.

Haffer, J. 1974. Avian Speciation in Tropical South America, with a Systematic Survey of the Toucan and Jacamars. Mass: Cambridge.

Hilty, S., W. Brown. 1986. A Guide to the Birds of Columbia. New Jersey: Princeton Unviversity Press.

Paulsen, B., N. Krabbe. 1998. Avifaunal Diversity of Five High-Altitude Cloud Forests on the Andean Western Slope of Ecador: Testing a Rapid Assesment Method. Journal of Biogeography, 25: 83-89. Accessed April 27, 2007 at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2699.1998.251174.

Remsen, J., M. Hyde, A. Chapman. 2003. The Diets of Neotropical Trogons, Motmots, Barbets and Toucans. The Condor, Vol. 95, No. 1: 178-192. Accessed April 28, 2007 at http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0010-5422%28199302%2995%3A1%3C178%3ATDONTM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0.

Weckstein, J. 2004. Biogeography Explains Cophylogenetic Patterns in Toucan Chewing Lice. Systematic Biology, 53:1: 154-164. Accessed April 27, 2007 at http://dx.goi.org/10.1080/10635150490265085.

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliot, J. Sargatal. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the World: Volume 7 Jacamars to Woodpeckers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.

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