Black-throated toucanet


The black-throated toucanet is a near-passerine bird found in central Ecuador to western Bolivia.

Taxonomy and systematics

The black-throated toucanet was originally described in the genus Pteroglossus. Although not accepted by some authorities, the black-throated toucanet was split from the emerald toucanet to form a separate species. While considered a species based primarily on morphology, some authorities continue to consider it a subspecies of the emerald toucanet. Alternate names for the black-throated toucanet include Andean toucanet and Peruvian toucanet.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:
Like other toucans, the black-throated toucanet is brightly marked and has a large bill. The adult is long and weight can range from. The sexes are alike in appearance, although the female generally is smaller and slightly shorter-billed. It is, as other members of the genus Aulacorhynchus, mainly green. The vent and tail-tip are rufous. The bill is black with yellow to the upper mandible and a white band at the base of the bill. The throat is blue or black and the eye-ring is very dark, almost appearing blackish from a distance. The legs are dull greyish and the iris is dark.