Species profile
About this species
The Black-billed Mountain Toucan is a striking bird native to the Andean cloud forests of Colombia, Ecuador & Venezuela. It displays vivid plumage with a blue-grey body, chestnut undertail coverts & a distinctive black bill with a yellow patch near the base. It is one of four species of mountain toucans & is typically found foraging for fruit in the forest canopy.
Montane cloud forests & humid highland forests along the Andes, typically between 1500m & 3000m elevation, where fruiting trees are abundant.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Black-billed Mountain Toucan with us in Colombia.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours between 6am & 9am offer the best light & activity levels, as birds are most active feeding at this time. The dry season between December & March generally provides clearer skies & better visibility in Andean cloud forests.
Position yourself at canopy level when possible, as these birds spend most of their time high in the trees & a lower angle rarely yields a clean shot. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze movement, as toucans are active & frequently shift position between branches. Scout fruiting trees in advance, as mountain toucans return reliably to productive food sources, giving you time to set up a stable composition with a clean background.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Black-billed Mountain Toucan
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.