I confess that until recently I didn’t even know that toucans existed here in Rio Grande do Sul, so it was a surprise to see this toucan for the first time here in São Chico. After researching online I discovered that it was a Red-breasted Toucan, aka Green-billed Toucan (scientific name Ramphastos dicolorus).
They are very common here in the Serra Gaúcha region, especially in rural and forested areas. I have even seen and heard them in the city (although rarely), including around Lake São Bernardo. The sound they make sounds like a “croak”. I heard it a lot since we moved here, but thought it was some other animal. Only later I realized that the sound was coming from them. For those who are curious, you can hear their vocalization on Wikiaves.
It occurs in Brazil, mainly in the southeast and south of the country, and also in parts of Argentina and Paraguay. It feeds on fruits, such as the embaúba (Cecropia sp.) and pitanga (Eugenia uniflora) fruits, as well as other non-native fruits in orchards. It also feeds on insects, arthropods and small vertebrates, including chicks and eggs of other birds.
It’s hard to photograph these little creatures, they’re very agitated and don’t get very close. I only managed to capture this one on a rainy day, when it landed on some trees near the house where we were living at the time in a rural area. I managed to get my one camera which has a super zoom and take some photos – the quality isn’t the best, but it allows me to take pictures from a big distance at least.
Searching on the internet I discovered that there are 5 species of the toucan family (Ramphastidae) here in Rio Grande do Sul, the most common of which is the Red-breasted Toucan .
📸 Pictures made in November, 2022 in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul (Serra Gaúcha, South of Brazil).