Chestnut-eared Aracari

Identification

The chestnut-eared aracari is a medium-sized toucan, measuring 43 to 47 cm in length and weighing 220 to 310 grams. Both sexes share distinctive bill patterns, though females have slightly shorter bills. The plumage is striking and colourful: males display a black crown and upper nape contrasting with a chestnut lower nape, dark green back, and bright red rump. Their face features blue skin with brown to chestnut sides, while the breast is yellow with red and chestnut-black markings below, and the belly is yellow with typically cinnamon thighs. Females are noticeably browner on the crown, nape, and upper throat, with a thinner black band on the lower throat. The bill itself is particularly diagnostic, featuring a yellow line at the base, mostly black mandible, and a striking pattern of orange-yellow, black, and ivory markings on the maxilla that resemble teeth. Juveniles are duller overall with a muted bill pattern. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form and P. c. australis, which is paler overall with rusty cheeks, a wider orange basal line on the bill, and greenish thighs.

Range & Habitat

The chestnut-eared aracari inhabits the western and southern Amazon Basin across seven countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. The nominate subspecies ranges from southern and eastern Colombia south through eastern Ecuador to southeastern Peru and into Brazil along the Amazon to the Rio Negro and Amazonas states. The australis subspecies occupies areas south of the Amazon, from north central Brazil southward through northern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina's Misiones Province, extending into southeastern Brazil. These birds favour landscapes characterised by water, including wet forests by lakes and rivers, várzea, forested river islands, and gallery forests. They also adapt well to edges, clearings, disturbed drier forests, bamboo canebrakes, cerrado, and even coffee plantations. Elevations are typically below 600 metres, though some Andean populations reach about 1,300 metres and southeastern Brazilian birds occur above 1,000 metres.

Behaviour & Diet

The chestnut-eared aracari is primarily frugivorous, foraging at all forest levels to pluck fruit from branches—even while hanging upside down—and probing vines, shrubs, crevices, and cavities for food. It supplements its diet with flowers, nectar, bird eggs, and nestlings. Rather than making conventional migrations, these birds gather in loose flocks and move during the austral winter to fruit-rich areas such as plantations. Breeding seasons vary dramatically across their range, occurring from February to September in northern and western populations but reversed to September to February in the southernmost birds. They typically nest in old woodpecker holes, enlarging them as needed, and breeding is often cooperative, with small groups attending nests rather than isolated pairs. Clutch sizes range from at least two to as many as four eggs. Vocalizations are distinctive and loud, with principal calls described as piercing, high-pitched "sneeep" to longer "psheee-eeep" sounds, alongside various other calls including sharp "tekk" notes and longer sequences of whistled "weet" notes.

Best Time & Places to See It

The chestnut-eared aracari is relatively widespread and adaptable throughout its range, making it more accessible than many forest-restricted toucan relatives. It is considered common in Colombia and Peru, uncommon to fairly common in Ecuador, and relatively common across most of its remaining range. Many populations occur within protected areas, offering reliable viewing opportunities. The bird's preference for water-associated habitats—wetlands, river edges, and várzea forests—makes these locations particularly promising. Seasonal movements toward fruit plantations during the austral winter may concentrate birds in predictable locations. Varied breeding seasons across the range mean that different regions offer different opportunities for observing breeding behaviour and family groups.

Photography Tips

The aracari's bold, contrasting plumage and colourful bill make it an attractive photographic subject. Look for birds foraging at multiple forest levels, from lower growth to mid-canopy; the spectacular upside-down feeding behaviour offers particularly dynamic compositional opportunities. The bright facial skin, chestnut ear coverts, and intricately patterned bill reward close-up and detail shots. Early morning visits to fruiting trees and food sources will maximise encounters. In wetland and várzea habitats, birds may be more visible at forest edges and clearings than deep in dense growth. The bird's loud, distinctive vocalisations can help locate flocks; once found, multiple individuals often permit extended observation and photography from various angles.