Head to head
Collared Aracari vs Curl-crested Aracari
The collared aracari and curl-crested aracari are both small, highly social members of the wider toucan family, but their most distinctive features could hardly differ more.
| Collared Aracari | Curl-crested Aracari | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pteroglossus torquatus | Pteroglossus beauharnaesii |
| Signature feature | Chestnut chest band | Curled, glossy black head feathers |
| Native range | Central America | Western Amazon basin |
| Roosting behaviour | Communal, shared tree cavity | Social, flock-based |
| Head colour | Black | Curled black |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Rainforest, forest | Rainforest |
Collared Aracari vs Curl-crested Aracari: common questions
How can you tell a collared aracari from a curl-crested aracari?
The collared aracari has a distinctive chestnut band across the chest, while the curl-crested aracari is identified by its tightly curled, glossy black head feathers, a feature unlike anything found on the collared aracari.
Do the collared aracari and curl-crested aracari share the same range?
No, the collared aracari is native to Central America, while the curl-crested aracari is restricted mainly to the western Amazon basin, so the two rarely if ever overlap.
Are both aracaris social birds?
Yes, both species are highly social, typically moving through the forest canopy in flocks, with the collared aracari additionally known for roosting communally inside a single shared tree cavity.