Description: The head of the male is black except for the bluish-green bare skin around the eyes and the yellow ear-tufts. The upperparts and tail are olive-green. The bill is ivory with black vertical stripes, large spots and a yellowish tip. Females are similar but the head is chestnut and the underparts are a rufous color.
Size: This species measure approximately 14 inches (35 cm) and weighs between 4.9-7.1 ounces (139-200 gr).
Behavior: They are usually in pairs as they forage for food in vegetation in the mid or upper levels of the forest, but occasionally will feed on the ground.
Diet: Diet consists primarily of fruits, occasionally feeding on small animals, eggs and lizards. They eat insects for protein during the breeding season.
Reproduction: Nests are high up in hollow areas usually in decayed wood and unused woodpecker holes. The bill is not effective for digging but they can enlarge the opening if needed and the wood shaving at the bottom of the nests, is where two to three eggs are laid. The nestlings hatch after 14- 16 days, with both parents feeding fruit to the babies for up to eight weeks. After 30 days, the sexes of the young can be determined by the color of the feathers. They fledge in six-seven weeks.
Habitat/range: They inhabit forests, gallery forest and palm groves in southeast Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia.
Status: Classified as Least Concern (LC) on IUCN Red List; CITES, Appendix III.
