Saffron Toucanet
Encyclopedia
The Saffron Toucanet is a species of bird
in the Ramphastidae family. It was formerly placed in the monotypic
genus
Baillonius, but Kimura et al. (2004) was able to show that the Saffron Toucanet belong in the genus Pteroglossus. It is found in Atlantic Forest in far north-eastern Argentina
, south-eastern Brazil
, and eastern Paraguay
.
It is a relatively long-tailed toucan
with a total length of 35-40 cm (14-16 in). As suggested by its common name
, it is, uniquely among toucans, overall saffron yellow
. The back and tail are darker, more olive in colour. The rump, ocular skin and patches on the basal half of the otherwise greenish-horn bill are red. The iris
is pale yellowish.
This species' scientific name honors Louis Antoine François Baillon
.
It is threatened by habitat loss and currently considered Near Threatened
by BirdLife International
. It occurs in several protected areas, such as the Itatiaia National Park
and Parque Estadual Intervales; both in south-eastern Brazil.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the Ramphastidae family. It was formerly placed in the monotypic
Monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group with only one biological type. The term's usage differs slightly between botany and zoology. The term monotypic has a separate use in conservation biology, monotypic habitat, regarding species habitat conversion eliminating biodiversity and...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Baillonius, but Kimura et al. (2004) was able to show that the Saffron Toucanet belong in the genus Pteroglossus. It is found in Atlantic Forest in far north-eastern Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, south-eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and eastern Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
.
It is a relatively long-tailed toucan
Toucan
Toucans are members of the family Ramphastidae of near passerine birds from the Neotropics. The family is most closely related to the American barbets. They are brightly marked and have large, often colorful bills. The family includes five genera and about forty different species...
with a total length of 35-40 cm (14-16 in). As suggested by its common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
, it is, uniquely among toucans, overall saffron yellow
Saffron (color)
Saffron is a color that is a tone of golden yellow resembling the color of the tip of the saffron crocus thread, from which the spice saffron is derived.The first recorded use of saffron as a color name in English was in 1200...
. The back and tail are darker, more olive in colour. The rump, ocular skin and patches on the basal half of the otherwise greenish-horn bill are red. The iris
Iris (anatomy)
The iris is a thin, circular structure in the eye, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupils and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. "Eye color" is the color of the iris, which can be green, blue, or brown. In some cases it can be hazel , grey, violet, or even pink...
is pale yellowish.
This species' scientific name honors Louis Antoine François Baillon
Louis Antoine François Baillon
Louis Antoine François Baillon was a French naturalist and collector. He was born in Montreuil-sur-Mer and died in Abbeville....
.
It is threatened by habitat loss and currently considered Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Near Threatened is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future, although it does not currently qualify for the threatened status...
by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
. It occurs in several protected areas, such as the Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park
Itatiaia National Park , established in 1937, is the oldest national park in Brazil. It is located on the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais states, between 22º16’ - 22º28’ S and 44º34’ - 44º42’ W....
and Parque Estadual Intervales; both in south-eastern Brazil.