Pale-mandibled Aracari

Birding abroad: Pale-mandibled Aracari.

In general Aracari's look quite similar to each other, so in order to identify them is by checking the patterns on their bills and the color of both head and chest. I spotted this Pale-mandibled Aracari in one of the lodges in Mindo, Ecuador. It was a birding paradise, great place to increase the numbers on your birds list.

This Pale-mandibled Aracari (Pteroglossus erythropygius) was seen near the feeders outside the lodge. Usually they forage in small groups. Pretty sure its companions were closeby at other feeders. 

The Pale-mandibled Aracari is a resident in Ecuador, so it was easy target to photograph. Since there were so many banana's and other fruits for them to eat, they did not feel uncomfortable at all. They are well known as early morning birds, but I was at the lodge since 6.00 AM too. Well worth it.

Like I said before, Aracari's look at first glance quite the same, but you have to check their bills and the patterns.
If you look closely at this Pale-mandibled Aracari's bill you can see a narrow white band at the base and a little red too. The upper mandible has a thick black line and the tip is orange/yellow. The lower mandible is black at the tip. Also you can see that its legs are greyish/green.

That is the nice thing about birding, it is more than looking at birds. It is a study on its own too.

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