Fruit Eating Birds in the Rain Forest

Covering more than 1 billion acres, the Amazon rain forest is home to exotic bird species. Some rain forest birds eat seeds and nuts while others dine on wild fruits growing in the rain forest canopy. The rain forest is also home to more than 5 million species of plants, insects and animals. About 200,000 indigenous Indians live in the rain forest. Rain forest protection efforts help preserve endangered bird species.

  1. Blue and Gold Macaw

    • The blue and gold macaw has a gold underbelly and turquoise or blue wings and back. Gold hues range from bright orange to deep yellow. In the wild, the blue and gold macaw eats fresh fruits, seeds and nuts. These large rain forest birds reach 34 inches in length and weigh up to 3 lbs.

    Moluccan Cockatoo

    • The moluccan cockatoo or salmon-crested cockatoo is white with splashes of salmon coloring. The head is commonly streaked with salmon, but some birds have salmon feathers on the body and underbelly. These birds eat seeds, nuts, fruits and coconut. Moluccan cockatoos reach 20 inches in length and up to 2.25 lbs.

    Congo African Grey Parrot

    • The Congo African grey parrot is gray with a mask of white around the eyes. Tail feathers may be tinted with red or dark pink. If fed and cared for properly, Congo African grey parrots live more than 70 years and reach up to 13 inches in length. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits and snails.

    Purple Honeycreeper

    • The honeycreeper is a rain forest bird with two color varieties. Males are deep blue or dark purple with black streaks on their wings. Females are green with patches of red, yellow and blue. Adult birds grow to a maximum size of 4.5 inches tall and less than 1/2 oz. in weight. Honeycreepers dine on nectar, insects and berries.

    Toucan

    • Toucans have large, colorful beaks. Bird size differs between toucan species. Some grow to about 12 inches in height and less than 5 oz. in weight. Others grow to be nearly 30 inches tall and weigh 1.5 lbs. Serrated ridges on the bill help toucans break through tough fruit skins. While toucans eat mostly fruits, they may occasionally eat lizards.

    Rainbow Lorikeet

    • The rainbow lorikeet's feathers are green, yellow, red, blue and orange. Specific coloring patterns differ, but typical varieties have a red breast, blue head and green back feathers. Birds reach 12 inches in length and weight up to 5.5 oz. Rainbow lorikeets prefer a sweet diet of nectar and fruits.