Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable 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 is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population is suspected to number 500,000-4,999,999 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2022). The species is described as 'fairly common' (Stotz et al. 1996).
Trend justification
The species is described as becoming locally rarer or even extinct in parts of the range, mainly as a consequence of widespread deforestation (Rice et al. 2020). Tree cover within the range is lost at a rate of 8% over three generations (18.6 years; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Despite being sensitive to large-scale forest clearance the species shows some tolerance of open habitats and is commonly observed in gardens, clearings and pastureland, as long as trees are present nearby (Rice et al. 2020). Therefore, tree cover loss may be driving only slow population declines overall. The species is however hunted for food, the impact of which has not been quantified. Tentatively, population declines are therefore here placed in the band 1-19% over three generations, though an accurate quantification of the trend is urgently required.
Ramphastos ambiguus occurs as three subspecies in Central America and South America. Subspecies swainsonii occurs through Central America from south-east Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and west Colombia south to El Oro in south-west Ecuador (del Hoyo et al. 2002). Subspecies abbreviatus occurs in north-east Colombia and northern Venezuela, possibly disjunctly (del Hoyo et al. 2002). The nominate subspecies ambiguus occurs east of the Andes from south-west Colombia through east Ecuador to Junín in Peru (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
This species occurs in a range of habitats, including lowland forests, secondary habitats, clearings, swamp forest, plantations and rural gardens. It usually occurs above 1,000 m, but may be found at lower elevations. It tends to feed mainly on fruits, to the extent that it is a major disperser for some fruiting tree species: up 45% of a fruit crop can be taken in a single session. Palms, flowers, arthropods and small vertebrates also form a part of its diet. Breeding is between September and July in all areas, with the nest made in a cavity 5-15 m above the ground (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
Although this species is tolerant of some habitat loss and degradation, it is highly sensitive to the large-scale clearance of forests within the range, and has reportedly become locally rarer or extinct in areas of intense deforestation (Rice et al. 2020). It is moreover threatened by hunting and trapping in some areas (del Hoyo et al. 2002, Rice et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs in several protected areas across its range. It is listed as Near Threatened at the national level in Peru and Ecuador (SERFOR 2018, Freile et al. 2019).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Assess the extent of hunting and trapping, and quantify their impact on the population size. Quantify and monitor the population trend.
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Effectively manage protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximising biodiversity conservation. Raise awareness for the species with the aim of reducing hunting and trapping pressure. Incentivise conservation on private lands, through expanding market pressures for sound land management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture.
53-56 cm. Large, mainly black toucan. Feathers on the crown and upper back have maroon tips, undertail-coverts are red and uppertail-coverts creamy white, and the throat and breast are yellow with red below. Large bill, with a black line around the base and yellow on the culmen, broadening distally. Female has a shorter and blockier bill. Immature has less pronounced colour contrasts. Voice Repeated yelping phrases, the first note being longer than the rest.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Donegan, T., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Lees, A., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-throated Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-throated-toucan-ramphastos-ambiguus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.