Curl-Crested Araçari Trivia

Unlike any other araçari, or any other bird, the curl-crested araçari has modified glossy head feathers that resemble shiny black pieces of plastic, enamel, or curled ribbon which are only visible up-close.

The curl-crested araçari’s population is not severely fragmented, and all individuals do not reside in one subpopulation. It generally occupies at a density of c. 1 bird/10-12 ha. or c. 8 birds/100 ha.

The curl-crested araçari has both maternal and paternal parental investment as both parents help brood the chicks. Both parents incubate the eggs, brood and feed the offspring, and share in nest cleaning duties.

The curl-crested araçari calls frequently, but is not as vocal as other araçaris.

The curl-crested araçari is smaller than most toucans and measures 40-46 centimeters, or 16-18 inches long, and weighs 164-280 grams, or 6-10 ounces.

The curl-crested araçari is one of over 40 species of birds in the family Ramphastidae.

The curl-crested araçari is not a common species kept in captivity in the United States.

The curl-crested araçari is tied with the black-necked araçari (Pteroglossus aracari) as the second largest araçari after the chestnut-eared araçari (Pteroglossus castanotis).

Very little is known about the curl-crested araçari’s reproduction.

The curl-crested araçari is evaluated as Least Concern.

The curl-crested araçari inhabits forest habitats.

Curl-crested araçaris sleep with their long tails folded over their backs.

The curl-crested araçari’s diet is poorly known, but it is known to be primarily a herbivore.

The bare skin around the eyes is blue and the whitish-yellow facial feathers have hardened black tips.

Curl-crested araçari chicks are born blind and naked with short bills and thick pads on their heels to protect them from the rough floor of the nest.

Curl-crested araçari chicks are born blind and naked with short bills and thick pads on their heels to protect them from the rough floor of the nest.

Curl-crested araçaris frequently forage in the mid-level and canopy of forest edges, looking for fruiting trees. They will also go to small bushes in clearings to feed and has been seen on the ground, presumably feeding with other bird species.

Curl-crested araçaris frequently forage in the mid-level and canopy of forest edges, looking for fruiting trees. They will also go to small bushes in clearings to feed and has been seen on the ground, presumably feeding with other bird species.

Curl-crested araçaris frequently forage in the mid-level and canopy of forest edges, looking for fruiting trees. They will also go to small bushes in clearings to feed and has been seen on the ground, presumably feeding with other bird species.

The curl-crested araçari is suspected to lose 16.3-20.6% of suitable habitat within its distribution over three generations (21 years) based on a model of Amazonian deforestation.

The curl-crested araçari is not subject to recent education and awareness programs, is not included in international legislation, and is not subject to any international management or trade controls.

There is debate over whether the curl-crested araçari’s scientific name should be spelled Pteroglossus beauharnaisii or Pteroglossus beauharnaesii.

The curl-crested araçari was first described by Johann Georg Wagler in 1832.

The curl-crested araçari is endemic to South America.

Fledging occurs in 43-50 days.

There is no action recovery plan, systemic monitoring schemes, or invasive species control and prevention in place for the curl-crested araçari. The species is also not subject to ex-situ conservation.

The curl-crested araçari has a decreasing population trend.

The curl-crested araçari is not a migrant and is not migratory.

The curl-crested araçari inhabits subtropical and tropical forest habitats.

The curl-crested araçari has more diffuse facial patterns than other araçaris.

The curl-crested araçari has zygodactylous toes as two point forward and two point backwards.

Curl-crested araçaris are docile, peaceful, social birds.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 16-18 days.

Female curl-crested araçaris lay three to six elliptical-shaped eggs in the hollow nest cavity floor where only a few wood chips may remain.

Males tend to modify the nest site and coax the female to it for her approval.

The curl-crested araçari’s bill is relatively short, compared to other toucan species.

The curl-crested araçari’s calls are very different from other araçaris and it makes sounds with much variability, fast to slow, deep to soft.

Apart from the bizarre head ornamentation, the curl-crested araçari is a quite pretty toucan with a red back.

The curl-crested araçari is arboreal and partially terrestrial. It has been seen on the ground, presumably feeding with other bird species.

The curl-crested araçari is in the family Ramphastidae, the South American barbets, toucans, toucanets, and araçaris.

The curl-crested araçari is in the family Ramphastidae, the South American barbets, toucans, toucanets, and araçaris.

The curl-crested araçari is in the family Ramphastidae, the South American barbets, toucans, toucanets, and araçaris.

Curl-crested araçari will eat eggs and take nestlings of birds, such as the yellow-rumped cacique (Cacicus cela). This is thought to happen most when the araçari is nesting.

The curl-crested araçari’s friendly disposition makes it a fantastic pet. They are easily trained to potty in the appropriate place as well as do a number of unique bird tricks.

Both sexes are alike, but females have shorter bills.

No courtship has been noticed in captivity, other than increased interest in nest logs and the birds spending more time inside nests.

The curl-crested araçari’s global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as rare to uncommon.

Both parents feed the offspring. Previous offspring and possibly other adult curl-crested araçari will also feed the chicks.

Both parents feed the offspring. Previous offspring and possibly other adult curl-crested araçari will also feed the chicks.

Both parents feed the offspring. Previous offspring and possibly other adult curl-crested araçari will also feed the chicks.

Both parents feed the offspring. Previous offspring and possibly other adult curl-crested araçari will also feed the chicks.

There is debate over whether the curl-crested araçari’s scientific name should be spelled Pteroglossus beauharnaisii or Pteroglossus beauharnaesii.

Because of its relatively long tail and curly crest, the curl-crested araçari was formerly placed in the monotypic genus or subgenus Beauharnaisius, but genetic data indicates that this species is embedded within Pteroglossus, being sister-species to the Eastern red-necked araçari (Pteroglossus bitorquatus).

The curl-crested araçari has an extremely large range across Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

The curl-crested araçari has an extremely large range across Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

The curl-crested araçari has an extremely large range across Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

Conservation sites for the curl-crested araçari have been identified over its entire range.

The curl-crested araçari overlaps in terra firme forest with both lettered araçari (Pteroglossus inscriptus) and ivory-billed araçari (Pteroglossus azara).

The curl-crested araçari overlaps in terra firme forest with both lettered araçari (Pteroglossus inscriptus) and ivory-billed araçari (Pteroglossus azara).

The curl-crested araçari inhabits forest habitats including subtropical and tropical moist lowlands and swamps. They are commonly found along river edges.

The curl-crested araçari inhabits forest habitats including subtropical and tropical moist lowlands and swamps. They are commonly found along river edges.

The curl-crested araçari has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The curl-crested araçari’s population is not severely fragmented, and all individuals do not reside in one subpopulation. It generally occupies at a density of c. 1 bird/10-12 ha. or c. 8 birds/100 ha.

The curl-crested araçari has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The curl-crested araçari’s population is not severely fragmented, and all individuals do not reside in one subpopulation. It generally occupies at a density of c. 1 bird/10-12 ha. or c. 8 birds/100 ha.

The curl-crested araçari’s generation length is 7 years.

Data from curl-crested araçari specimens indicates a breeding season of May to August, occasionally to November or even February.

Apart from the bizarre head ornamentation, the curl-crested araçari is a quite pretty toucan with a yellow breast.

The tail is relatively long, compared to other toucans, and varies in color but has a greenish-bronze dominant color.

The ornately-patterned, multicolored bill has a blue and maroon upper bill, ivory lower bill, and an orange tip.

Curl-crested araçaris fly about in flocks of four to 12.

Female curl-crested araçaris lay pure-white elliptical-shaped eggs in the hollow nest cavity floor where only a few wood chips may remain.

The curl-crested araçari is known to nest in abandoned tree hollows and cavities, finding hollowed crevices or snags to modify for egg-laying and incubation and even utilizing old woodpecker holes. Some hollows are the result of a branch break and ensuing rotting of the heart wood from rain over a period of time. Captive curl-crested araçaris may breed in nest boxes with a concave bottom; however, they generally prefer natural nests constructed from palm tree logs, which allows them to dig their nest chambers deeper.

The curl-crested araçari is known to nest in abandoned tree hollows and cavities, finding hollowed crevices or snags to modify for egg-laying and incubation and even utilizing old woodpecker holes. Some hollows are the result of a branch break and ensuing rotting of the heart wood from rain over a period of time. Captive curl-crested araçaris may breed in nest boxes with a concave bottom; however, they generally prefer natural nests constructed from palm tree logs, which allows them to dig their nest chambers deeper.

The curl-crested araçari is known to nest in abandoned tree hollows and cavities, finding hollowed crevices or snags to modify for egg-laying and incubation and even utilizing old woodpecker holes. Some hollows are the result of a branch break and ensuing rotting of the heart wood from rain over a period of time. Captive curl-crested araçaris may breed in nest boxes with a concave bottom; however, they generally prefer natural nests constructed from palm tree logs, which allows them to dig their nest chambers deeper.

The curl-crested araçari has modified glossy head feathers that resemble shiny black pieces of plastic, enamel, or curled ribbon which are only visible up-close. These feathers feel like plastic.

Curl-crested araçaris will sometimes flock with other species of araçaris.

The curl-crested araçari is not included in international legislation and is not subject to any international management or trade controls.

The curl-crested araçari is diurnal.

The underparts contain increasing red blotches and a single red and black breast band.

The curl-crested araçari’s diet is poorly known, but it is known to be primarily a frugivore. Fruits, such as figs and those of Ocotea, make up the vast majority of its diet.

Curl-crested araçaris will sleep with up to five adults and their fledged offspring in the same nesting hole.