Spot-billed toucanet, Atlantic Forest, Brazil

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Spot-billed toucanet, Brazil

The spot-billed toucanet, seen today, is a species of toucan that stands out for its green plumage and a striking orange beak adorned with black spots. Females, like the one seen here, are mainly coloured in green, brown and yellow, while males add red and blue to the mix. Primarily found in in the Amazon and Pantanal regions of Brazil, these spot-billed toucanets inhabit humid tropical forests, where they feed on a variety of fruits, insects and small vertebrates. Their presence is essential for seed dispersal, an important role in the ecology of these forests. However, like many species, the spot-billed toucanet faces threats due to habitat loss and environmental degradation—an example of the need for conservation efforts to protect this fascinating species and Brazil's biodiversity.