Ivory-billed Aracari

Identification

The ivory-billed aracari is a medium-sized toucan measuring 36 to 45 cm in length and weighing 120 to 160 g. Adult males display striking plumage: a black cap crowning a chestnut head and throat, with a maroon-red nape and upper back, green lower back, and red rump. A narrow black band runs under the throat, followed by a distinctive wide red band on the upper breast and wide black band on the lower breast, yellow belly, and green thighs. Females are similar but sport a dark brown cap and narrower black throat band than males.

The species' most distinctive feature is its remarkable bill, which gives it its common name. The bill is mostly yellow with deep red to brown markings and distinctive red, black, and ivory marks along its edge that resemble teeth. Different subspecies show subtle bill color variations, though plumage differences are negligible across populations.

Range & Habitat

The ivory-billed aracari is found across northwestern South America in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The nominate subspecies occupies the Brazilian state of Amazonas between the Rio Solimões and Rio Negro, while P. a. flavirostris ranges through southeastern Colombia, southern Venezuela, eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and northwestern Brazil. The species is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.

These birds inhabit varied forest landscapes including várzea, gallery forest, and secondary forest, showing a preference for early- to mid-successional forest over mature growth. They are also found in terra firme, bamboo, cloudforest, and plantations to a lesser extent. Elevation ranges mostly below 600 m, though they are regularly found to 900 m and locally higher in some areas.

Behaviour & Diet

Ivory-billed aracaris are canopy foragers, typically observed in pairs or small groups working through the forest's upper levels. Their diet appears to consist primarily of fruit supplemented with arthropods, though detailed dietary information remains limited. The species is vocal, with its song described as a distinctive series of 2–6 wailing notes variously rendered as "twaaa-a-a," "tweee-ee," or "traaa-at."

The breeding season occurs from December to May across most of the range, extending to February through August in western and southwestern populations. Like other toucans, they are assumed to nest in tree cavities, with clutches of two to four eggs. Beyond these basic facts, little else is documented about their breeding biology or other behavioral details.

Best Time & Places to See It

Year-round residence throughout the species' range means that ivory-billed aracaris can be encountered in any season, though breeding activity peaks December through August depending on location. The best opportunities for observation lie in the várzea and gallery forests of the Amazon basin, particularly in areas with early- to mid-successional growth where the species shows greater abundance.

Travelers visiting northwestern Amazonia in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, or Venezuela have the best chances of encountering this species. Look for them in the forest canopy, scanning the upper levels of secondary growth forests and forest edges where fruit availability is greatest.

Photography Tips

The ivory-billed aracari's bold coloration and distinctive bill make it a rewarding photographic subject. Focus your efforts on the canopy and upper forest levels where these birds forage, typically in small groups. Early morning hours often provide the best light for capturing the species' vibrant reds, blacks, yellows, and greens against the forest backdrop.

The bird's relatively small size compared to larger toucans means a telephoto lens is essential for frame-filling shots. Watch for feeding activity in fruiting trees, where pairs or small groups may linger long enough for extended observation. The distinctive bill markings and color variations between subspecies are worth documenting, as they provide visual interest and scientific value to your images.