The Rainforest

Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan

DESCRIPTION- The Plate-Billed Mountain Toucan is about 42 to 53 centimeters with a r lightweight bill up to 10 centimeters long. The male weighs about 314 grams and the female about 303 grams It has two toes pointing forward and two pointing back.

SCIENTIFIC NAME- (Andigena laminirostros)

Habitat: The bird occupies humid Andean forest and shrubland among mosses. It occurs between 300 and 3200 meters in elevation, mostly remaining between 1200 and 2500 meters. Its home forests receive some 14 feet of rainfall per year.

DIET- feeds mainly on fruit, occasionally eating insects and eggs

INTERESTING FACT- "Listed as near threatened on IUCN "Red List Of Threatened Species."

OBSERVATION- Very colorful

ADAPTATION- toucans are zygodactylous, meaning they have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. This foot design provides strength and stability when moving through dense branches, up and down tree trunks, or in and out of tree cavities. Also the Toucan has wings to help the bird fly and a large beak to help it pick it's food to eat.

STATUS: Threatened Species