Collared Aracari - Panama 2008

Collared Aracari, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

While staying at our resort we saw numerous Collared Aracari. They can be confused with one of the larger Toucans at first but they are much smaller and indeed are a type of Toucan. Seeing them eat the fruit they so desire is amazing to watch. They would ignore us as long as they were eating. They moved around from fruit tree to fruit tree in groups of 6-12. Here is a great video of the Collared Aracari having lunch!!!

Chestnut Mandibled Toucan - Panama 2008

We saw Toucans almost every day as we were walking. We never tired of seeing them and always stopped to take pictures. Such beautiful birds. They came right up to the resort entrance one early morning when we were waiting for our taxi to take us to Pipeline Road. There is something about seeing a toucan up close that can just make the trip regardless of what other birds we would see. You can hear it here.