Green Aracari

Overview

The Green Aracari is among the smallest members of the toucan family, with a slim body and comparatively modest bill size. Its green-toned upperparts set it apart from the mostly black-backed aracaris and toucanets found elsewhere in South America.

• Small-bodied toucan restricted to the Guiana Shield region
• Green back and wings are unusual among aracaris
• Shows a clear plumage difference between males and females

Feather Identification

The back, wings, and tail are green, a shade shared with few other toucan relatives, making shed back feathers relatively easy to place. The underparts are yellow, crossed by a colored belt whose tone differs by sex.

• Back and wing feathers: green with a slight gloss
• Belt across belly: red-orange in males, chestnut-maroon in females
• Rump: deep red, contrasting with the green back
• Head: black in males, chestnut-brown in females

The green back plumage is the fastest way to rule out most other aracari species, which typically show black upperparts.

Plumage Notes

This is one of the few toucans with a visible plumage-based sex difference: males have black heads and a reddish belly band, while females show a chestnut-brown head and a darker, more maroon belt. Juveniles resemble females but are duller overall.

• Males: black head, red-toned belt
• Females: chestnut-brown head, darker maroon belt
• Juveniles: duller version of the female pattern before maturing

Habitat & Range

Restricted to the Guiana Shield, including parts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and adjacent northern Brazil, within humid lowland rainforest.

• Non-migratory resident of continuous lowland rainforest
• Generally stays within intact forest rather than edges or clearings
• Found from sea level up into lower foothill forest

Behavior & Field Notes

Green Aracaris move through the canopy in small flocks, foraging on fruit and occasional small animal prey. They roost communally in tree cavities, sometimes in surprisingly large groups for their size.

• Voice: thin, squeaky calls, higher-pitched than larger toucans
• Nesting: old woodpecker holes or natural cavities, often reused across seasons
• Field notes: the green back combined with a black (male) or chestnut (female) head is the quickest plumage cue in the field