One of the most vividly colored and uniquely designed members of the toucan family — and it’s only found in the cloud forests of the Andes, mainly in Ecuador and southern Colombia. True to its name, this toucan sports a large, multicolored bill with a distinct flattened, plate-like ridge along the upper mandible — a feature that sets it apart from all other toucans. Its scientific name, laminirostris, literally means “plate-billed,” and that flashy bill is like a neon sign in the misty forest.

This toucan is a real eye-catcher: its body is mostly dark blue-gray, but it’s decorated with bright yellow facial patches, a chestnut rump, red under-tail coverts, and — of course — that spectacular bill marked in shades of yellow, red, black, and pale blue. Despite all this color, it can still blend surprisingly well into the dappled shadows of its cloud forest home, especially when perched quietly in mossy trees.

One of the most fascinating things about the plate-billed mountain toucan is how well it’s adapted to life in high-altitude forests. It lives at elevations of around 1,200 to 3,200 meters (4,000–10,500 feet), where the forests are often cool, misty, and thick with epiphytes. Unlike some toucans that prefer open spaces, this one thrives in dense, wet cloud forests, using its bill to reach fruit, insects, and even small reptiles hidden in the foliage.

Their behavior is just as interesting as their looks. Plate-billed mountain toucans are social birds, often moving in small family groups or loose flocks. They communicate using a mix of frog-like croaks, bill-clacking, and even a kind of yelping bark — sounds that echo eerily through the foggy forest. These calls help family members stay in touch while foraging through the treetops.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Colombia

2023

Ecuador

2023