Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan

Identification

The grey-breasted mountain toucan is a striking mid-sized toucan, measuring 41 to 48 cm in length and weighing 244 to 370 g. Both sexes within each subspecies share identical plumage. The bird's most distinctive feature is its large, colourful bill: the base is yellow to greenish with a black band, the outer two-thirds of the upper mandible is red meeting the yellow diagonally, while the outer half of the lower mandible is black. The head is predominantly black with a characteristic grey-blue band across the hindneck. The back is greenish-brown, while the underparts range from grey to grey-blue. The tail is blackish with chestnut tips on the central feathers. The nominate subspecies displays a bright yellow rump, pale grey-blue flanks, chestnut thighs, and red undertail coverts, with brown eyes surrounded by bare blue skin. The subspecies A. h. lateralis has a paler yellow rump, pale yellow to grey-white flanks, and yellow to green eyes.

Range & Habitat

This species is endemic to the northern Andes, with the nominate subspecies found from central and southern Colombia into eastern Ecuador, while A. h. lateralis ranges from eastern Ecuador south into Peru. The grey-breasted mountain toucan inhabits wet temperate montane forests, including cloud forest, elfin forest, and secondary growth, typically between 2,200 and 3,650 metres elevation, though it descends to 1,500 m in Peru and 1,700 m in Ecuador.

Behaviour & Diet

This is a social and active forager, moving through the canopy and mid-story levels singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, often joining mixed-species feeding flocks. The species feeds primarily on fruit and berries, with some vertebrates likely comprising part of its diet. Its vocalizations include a distinctive low 'gweeeeeeeat' song, sharp 'wek' notes delivered singly or in series, and aggressive 'kek' calls, often accompanied by dramatic bill-whacking. Breeding occurs from December to February in Colombia and June or July to November in Ecuador and Peru, though little else is known about its reproductive biology.

Best Time & Places to See It

The grey-breasted mountain toucan is thought to be locally common within its range and occurs in several protected areas across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Since the species shows no documented pattern of movement, it can be encountered year-round, though breeding season months (December–February in Colombia; June–November in Ecuador and Peru) may offer heightened activity and visibility. The species' very large range (over 1,070,000 km²) and estimated population of 25,000 to 77,000 mature individuals mean that dedicated high-altitude montane forest exploration offers reasonable chances of encounter.

Photography Tips

The striking plumage and large, colourful bill make this species visually rewarding to photograph. Look for birds foraging in the mid-canopy and lower branches of wet montane forests at dawn and dusk, when they are most active. Small feeding flocks offer opportunities for multiple subjects in a single frame. The bird's black head and pale underparts create strong contrast; expose carefully to preserve detail in both dark plumage and the vibrant bill colours. Patient positioning near fruiting trees can yield excellent opportunities, and listening for the distinctive 'gweeeeeeeat' call will help locate birds moving through dense canopy.