The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T22682153A92932045
Scope: Global
Language: English
Ramphastos tucanus, Red-billed Toucan
Assessment by: BirdLife International
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: BirdLife International. 2016. Ramphastos tucanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2016: e.T22682153A92932045. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Piciformes
Ramphastidae
Taxon Name: Ramphastos tucanus Linnaeus, 1758
Common Name(s):
• English:
Red-billed Toucan, White-throated Toucan
Taxonomic Source(s):
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife
International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International,
Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
Taxonomic Notes:
Ramphastos tucanus and R. cuvieri (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) were previously lumped as R. tucanus
following SACC (2006). Prior to that, they had been split as R. tucanus and R. cuvieri following Sibley and
Monroe (1990, 1993).
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Vulnerable A4cd ver 3.1
Year Published:
2016
Date Assessed:
October 1, 2016
Justification:
Based on a model of deforestation in the Amazon basin, and the species's susceptibility to hunting, it is
suspected that its population is declining rapidly over three generations, and it has therefore been
classified as Vulnerable.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
2014 – Vulnerable (VU) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-2.RLTS.T22682153A62300599.en
2008 – Not Recognized (NR)
2004 – Least Concern (LC)
2000 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
1994 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
1988 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
Geographic Range
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Range Description:
Ramphastos tucanus has a wide from eastern Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname and French
Guiana, east of the Rio Negro in northeast Brazil and also south of the Amazon in northern Pará and
Maranhão states.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Brazil; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Distribution Map
Ramphastos tucanus
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Population
The global population size has not been quantified, but this species is described as 'common' (Stotz et
al. 1996).
Trend Justification
This species is suspected to lose 26.8-40.9% of of its extent of suitable habitat in the Amazonian portion
of its range over 35 years, as projected after 2002 using a model of forest loss in the Amazon basin
(Soares-Filho et al. 2006). By taking the pessimistic (business as usual) scenario of forest loss and
factoring in the species’s susceptibility to hunting, fragmentation and edge-effects (following Bird et al.
2011), it is suspected to decline by 38.6% over three generations from 2002.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Lowland tropical forest, especially old riverbeds, late stage successional forest, and mature forest near
water. Also forages in secondary forest, edges, clearings, forest patches, pasture trees, plantations,
gardens, mangroves etc; to 1,440 m in Guyana (del Hoyo et al. 2002, Short et al. 2014). Feeds on a
diverse variety of fruits, also flowers and nectar, beetles, caterpillars, cicadas, termites, lizards, bird eggs
and birds, foraging in the canopy singly, in pairs or small groups (del Hoyo et al. 2002). Lays two-three
eggs in a deep natural cavity in a tree at 3-20 m height. The home range of a group is large, and birds
may move large distances in search of fruit (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin as land is cleared
for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al.
2006, Bird et al. 2011). It is also declining as a result of hunting pressure (del Hoyo et al. 2002).
Proposed changes to the Brazilian Forest Code reduce the percentage of land a private landowner is
legally required to maintain as forest (including, critically, a reduction in the width of forest buffers
alongside perennial steams) and include an amnesty for landowners who deforested before July 2008
(who would subsequently be absolved of the need to reforest illegally cleared land) (Bird et al. 2011).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Conservation and research actions underway
It is found in several large protected areas, including the 30,000 km2 Canaima National Park in Venezuela
and 16,000 km2 Central Suriname Nature Reserve (Short et al. 2014). Conservation and research
actions proposed
Expand the protected area network to effectively protect IBAs. Effectively resource and manage
existing and new protected areas, utilising emerging opportunities to finance protected area
management with the joint aims of reducing carbon emissions and maximizing biodiversity
conservation. Conservation on private lands, through expanding market pressures for sound land
management and preventing forest clearance on lands unsuitable for agriculture, is also essential
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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(Soares-Filho et al. 2006). Campaign against proposed changes to the Brazilian Forest Code that would
lead to a decrease in the width of the areas of riverine forest protected as Permanent Preservation
Areas (APPs), which function as vital corridors in fragmented landscapes.
Credits
Assessor(s):
BirdLife International
Reviewer(s):
Butchart, S. & Symes, A.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Gilroy, J., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Sharpe, C J
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Bibliography
Bird, J. P.; Buchanan, J. M.; Lees, A. C.; Clay, R. P.; Develey, P. F.; Yépez, I.; Butchart, S. H. M. 2011.
Integrating spatially explicit habitat projections into extinction risk assessments: a reassessment of
Amazonian avifauna incorporating projected deforestation. Diversity and Distributions: doi:
10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00843.x.
del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. 2002. Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 7: Jacamars to
Woodpeckers. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
IUCN. 2016. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 07 December 2016).
Short, L.L., Kirwan, G.M. and Sharpe, C.J. 2014. Red-billed Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus). In: del Hoyo, J.,
Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds), Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive,
Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
Soares-Filho, B.S.; Nepstad, D.C.; Curran, L.M.; Cerqueira, G.C.; Garcia, R. A.; Ramos, C. A.; Voll, E.;
McDonald, A.; Lefebvre, P.; Schlesinger, P. 2006. Modelling conservation in the Amazon basin. Nature
440(7083): 520-523.
Stotz, D. F.; Fitzpatrick, J. W.; Parker, T. A.; Moskovits, D. K. 1996. Neotropical birds: ecology and
conservation. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Citation
BirdLife International. 2016. Ramphastos tucanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016:
e.T22682153A92932045. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
Resident
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.7. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Above
High Tide Level
Resident
Suitable
No
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
Resident
Suitable
No
2. Savanna -> 2.1. Savanna - Dry
Resident
Suitable
No
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.2. Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland
Resident
Suitable
No
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations
Resident
Suitable
No
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens
Resident
Suitable
No
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.5. Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas
Resident
Marginal
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.6. Artificial/Terrestrial - Subtropical/Tropical
Heavily Degraded Former Forest
Resident
Suitable
No
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.3. Agro-industry
farming
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Rapid declines
Medium
impact: 7
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming
& ranching -> 2.3.3. Agro-industry grazing, ranching
or farming
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
Rapid declines
Slow, significant
declines
Medium
impact: 7
Low impact: 5
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: No
Systematic monitoring scheme: No
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Occur in at least one PA: No
Invasive species control or prevention: No
In-Place Species Management
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: No
Subject to ex-situ conservation: No
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No
Included in international legislation: No
Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.1. Harvest management
5. Law & policy -> 5.1. Legislation -> 5.1.2. National level
6. Livelihood, economic & other incentives -> 6.3. Market forces
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (AOO): No
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 3240000
Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (EOO): No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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Distribution
Continuing decline in number of locations: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: No
Upper elevation limit (m): 1440
Population
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations: No
Population severely fragmented: No
Continuing decline in subpopulations: Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: No
All individuals in one subpopulation: No
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Unknown
Generation Length (years): 11.5
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ramphastos tucanus – published in 2016.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682153A92932045.en
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The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.
The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens
Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™