The green araçari (Pteroglossus viridis), is a toucan, a near-passerine bird. It is found in the lowland forests of northeastern South America (the Guiana Shield), in the northeast Amazon Basin, the Guianas and the eastern Orinoco River drainage of Venezuela. At 30–40 cm. (12–16 in) long and weighing 110–160 grams (3.9–5.7 oz.), it is the smallest aracari in its range, and among the smallest members of the toucan family. Green aracaris have dark green feathers on their backs, throughout their wings and into their tails. They are sexually dimorphic birds, meaning males and females exhibit some differences in appearance. The male aracari's neck and head feathers are very dark, whereas the female aracari has dark red to brown coloration. These birds have a brightly colored red, yellow and blue bill with a unique serrated edge. Their bill is more deliberately hooked at the end than the bill of other aracaris.
Size Green aracaris are one of the smallest aracaris, measuring just 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters) and weighing 3.8 to 5.6 ounces (99 to 159 grams). Native Habitat Green aracaris inhabit tropical forests in northeast South America, specifically Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela. Communication These birds spend the majority of their time living in small groups in the tree canopy and levels below where they forage together for food. They vocalize during mating rituals and to warn of danger. Food/Eating Habits Green aracaris eat fruits, insects, nuts, eggs and small animals. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they receive a balanced diet of bird pellets, fruit and cooked sweet potatoes. Reproduction And Development Rather than excavating its own hole to build a nest, the green aracari will take over an abandoned woodpecker hole. These existing nesting spots are usually high up in trees. The female will lay two to four eggs and incubate them for 16 to 19 days. Chicks fledge, or develop the feathers they need to fly, about five weeks after hatching. However, the parents will continue to feed the chicks until they are around 6 to 8 weeks old.
