Plate-billed Mountain Toucan
Andigena laminirostris
The Plate-billed Mountain Toucan is a near-endemic of the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. Its name comes from the raised, horn-colored plates on the sides of its upper bill — a unique feature among toucans. With its blue-gray plumage, red undertail, and striking yellow and black bill, it is one of the cloud forest's most photogenic residents.
This species favors the upper reaches of cloud forest and edge habitat between 1,600 and 3,100 meters. At Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve and along the San Lorenzo ridge near Mindo, it is regularly seen at fruit feeders and flying across forested valleys in small groups of 2–6 birds.
The Plate-billed Mountain Toucan feeds primarily on fruit, supplemented by insects and small vertebrates. Its call — a loud, far-carrying honking — is one of the signature sounds of the high cloud forest.