White-throated Toucan

The White-throated Toucan is a striking canopy-dweller found year-round in Ecuador’s eastern lowland rainforests, especially within the Amazon basin below 1,200 meters. It is locally common in terra firme and floodplain forests, where pairs or small groups move through the canopy with slow, undulating flight, feeding on fruit, insects, and small vertebrates. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population remains stable across a broad range, though it is sensitive to extensive deforestation and fragmentation. Nesting occurs in tree cavities, often those abandoned by woodpeckers, and courtship involves playful fruit tossing—an endearing ritual that reflects the toucan’s social and charismatic nature.