Swainson's Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii
The Swainson's toucan is the largest toucan in Central America. It can be observed flying in small flocks of 3 to 12 individuals in the canopy of the rainforest. The call of the Swainson's toucan is a yelping “yo-YIP, a-yip, a-yip”, or a Dios te dé, Dios te dé (Spanish for “God give you…”). It is given to maintain contact as the flock travels in “follow-my-leader” style through the trees, but also in chorus at the evening roosts. The calling bird usually tosses up its head and beak, and along with a side-to-side movement, jerks its head up and moves its tail rapidly up and down. Closer to evening, flocks will gather in trees or on tall dead snags and call in chorus. They will often be answered by another group off in the distance. Along with these calls this toucan has been heard giving off a very loud, rapid pig-like rattle that has been compared to the flapping pages of a heavy book.
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