Toco toucan documented as prey for the black‐and‐chestnut eagle in Argentina

Abstract

This eagle’s nests have been documented in several countries, making it possible to study the species’ breeding-season dietary habits over a large portion of its range. For example, at nest sites in Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina, observations of prey items brought to nests by adults have been recorded. Birds, particularly cracids (Penelope spp) and domestic hens, are among the most often observed prey taxa, along with mammals weighing between 250 and 6800 g.On 27 December 2021 within the Yungas forest in Jujuy province, northwest Argentina, we observed an adult black-and-chestnut eagle bring a toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) to its nest as food for the eaglet. We believe that this is the first known record of a black-andchestnut eagle preying on a toco toucan, whose strong beak, among other characteristics, would normally serve as a predator deterrent.This sighting represents an interesting trophic interaction that, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported and contributes to the understanding of the ecology of both species. Observations like this one can also help to alter people’s perceptions. Local residents, who previously may have viewed the eagle only as a potential predator of poultry, may now recognize its value in helping to control populations of species like the toco toucan, which—as a consumer of fruits—can be a source of human–wildlife conflict as well.