Collared Aracari
"That animal, I know. We call him Mokú-pá"
~Nima Cruz
Species:
Pteroglossus torquatus
Common Name:
Mokú-pá/Collared Aracari
Family:
Ramphastidae
Seen in:
• Jurassic Park: The Game (1993)
Vocalizations:
Description:
The Collared Aracari is a species of tropical bird belonging to the toucan family. Large serrations for feeding on fruit and small prey are present on the oversized keratin-sheathed beak its family is known for. This beak is splotched with deep orange and yellows, and outlined in white, Their four toed scaly feet are a muted greenish yellow. Its body consists of dark black feathers with a greenish sheen. Its underside is a vivid yellow with a neon reddish orange band above its legs and a similarly colored splotch at the base of its long tail. Their common name is derived from the red streak on the back of their necks. They are locally known as Mokú-pá by the Tun-Si tribe of Isla Nublar, meaning “Owl Parrot” in the native Bribri language.
Collared Aracaris are highly sociable birds. Small flocks of around a dozen individuals roost communally in tree hollows. Aracaris are monogamous and engage in cooperative breeding, meaning older offspring act as caretakers for their younger siblings. These curious birds forage, play, and sleep in groups.
Size Estimates:
Aprox. 0.4m Long
Did you know?
The Collared Aracari was described by the Spanish Naturalist Francisco Hernández during his expedition to the New World during the years of 1570 and 1577—roughly 45 years after Isla Nublar was discovered in 1525.
Habitat & Geographical Ranging:
The Collared Aracari is indigenous to tropical rainforests throughout Central America, including the Costa Rican island of Isla Nublar. They inhabit lowland rainforests and woodlands, generally nesting in tree cavities formed by woodpeckers. Collared Aracaris typically forage on native fruiting trees, such as Cecropia, Ficus, and palm. These tropical birds have been spotted near Jurassic Park’s Dilophosaur and Triceratops Paddocks.
Individual Variation:
This species has no known Variation.