Green aracari
| Green aracari | |
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| Female at Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| Species: | P. viridis
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| Binomial name | |
| Pteroglossus viridis (Linnaeus, 1766)
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| Synonyms | |
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The green aracari (US: /ˌɑːrəˈsɑːri/ AHR-ə-SAHR-ee,[2] UK: /ˌ[invalid input: 'ar']əˈsɑːri/ ARR-ə-SAHR-ee or /ˌ[invalid input: 'ar']əˈkɑːri/ ARR-ə-KAHR-ee),[3] or green araçari (Pteroglossus viridis), is a toucan, a near-passerine bird. It is found in the lowland forests of northeastern South America (the Guiana Shield), in the northeast Amazon Basin, the Guianas and the eastern Orinoco River drainage of Venezuela. At 30–40 cm. (12–16 in) long and weighing 110–160 grams (3.9–5.7 oz.), it is the smallest aracari in its range,[4][5] and among the smallest members of the toucan family.
Taxonomy and systematics
The green aracari was originally classified in the genus Ramphastos. Alternate names include Sclater's Araçari. The species is named for the green feathers covering its back.
Description
Males' crowns are black, while females' are reddish brown.[6]
Behaviour and ecology
Breeding
Breeding occurs from February to June. It nests in tree cavities, producing 2–4 white eggs.[7] The parents cooperate in rearing their young.[6]
Food and feeding
Its diet consists mostly of fruit, including the fruits of Cecropia trees and the palm Oenocarpus bacaba.[7] The serrated edges of the green aracari's large bill help the bird to grip and gather fruit. Insects are also an occasional part of the diet, giving the birds protein.[6]
Pets
In captivity it is the most frequently bred member of the toucan family and is the most popular as a tame hand-fed pet. It requires a large cage and toys to prevent boredom due to its active nature, and a high-fruit diet. When all these requirements are met it is an affectionate companion for many years.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ "Aracari". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.). Retrieved 2012-04-20.
- ^ "Definition for aracari". Oxford Dictionaries Online. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Steven L. Hilty. Birds of Venezuela (Princeton Paperbacks). Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press. p. 460. ISBN 0-691-09250-8.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-08-19. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c "Green Aracari Fact Sheet, Lincoln Park Zoo"
- ^ a b Lester L. Short and Jennifer F. M. Horne; colour plates and line drawings by Albert Earl Gilbert (2001). Toucans, barbets and honeyguides: Ramphastidae, Capitonidae and Indicatoridae. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. pp. 370–372. ISBN 0-19-854666-1. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
Media related to Pteroglossus viridis at Wikimedia Commons- Green aracari videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Stamps (for Guyana, Suriname) with ~RangeMap
- Green aracari photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Photo-Medium Res; Article nashvillezoo—"Ramphastidae"
- Photo-High Res; Article & synopsis w/systematics arthurgrosset
