Toco toucan

Toco Toucan Fact File

Ramphastos toco

Credit: Under License

Weight

500-876g

(17.6-30.9oz)

Length

55-65cm

(22-26in)

Lifespan

Wild 1 years

Captive 1 years

Diet

Omnivores

Fruit, Insects, Nuts

Conservation Status

IUCN

Least Concern

One Big, Bright Bill!

The toco toucan is fitted with the largest bill relative to their body size of any bird. This is bright in color being orange with a black tip.

They use this large bill to help regulate their temperature as air flowing over the bill cools any air which is running through them.

During their courtship display the male and female toco toucan will share fruit with one another.

These birds have been threatened by hunting and collection for the pet trade.

Learn more about these brilliant birds by reading on below.

Appearance

What does the Toco Toucan look like?

The majority of the toco toucan is coloured black. On the throat there is a patch of white plumage. The eye is a black ball surrounded by a thin patch of skin which appears blue. Around the blue area there is a ring of exposed skin which is orange.

One of the most notable features of the toco toucan is its large bill. This bill is around 19cm (7.5in) in size and is comprised of keratin (the same substance as human hair) which makes it very light. The bill has a small black patch next to the body before becoming orange for the majority. At the tip is another black section.

Their beak is the largest relative to body size of any bird.

Toco toucans have grey colored legs and feet. Their toes are long to help wrap around branches as they perch in the forest.

The toco toucan is the largest toucan species. They measure between 55 and 65cm (22-26inch). The toco toucan weighs 500 to 876g (17.6-30.9oz) in size. The female is generally smaller than the male but their color is similar. These toucans have wings measuring 50-119cm (20-47in) across.

Adaptations

How does the Toco Toucan survive in its habitat?

The large bill is used for grabbing food off of trees and for heat exchange. Blood flow to this area can be regulated which controls the heat of the body. Young toucans can be observed with the bill under their wings. This is believed to be as heat control does not develop till later in life.

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Diet

What does the Toco Toucan eat?

The toco toucan is an omnivore. They live on a diet of fruit, insects, eggs, lizards, young birds, berries and nuts.

Learn more about the Toco Toucan in this video from Great Big Story on YouTube

Range

Where do you find the Toco Toucan?

Toco toucans come from South America. They can be found throughout the majority of this continent as well as Central America and some Caribbean islands.

They can be found in the following countries, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.

Habitat

Where can the Toco Toucan survive?

The toco toucan enjoys a habitat of open forests. They live in woodland, savannahs and other open areas. This adaptation means they have adapted well to the deforestation taking place in South America.

Credit: Under License

Reproduction

How does the Toco Toucan produce its young?

Breeding for the toco toucan varies throughout its range. Courtship involves the male and female tossing fruit between each other.

The nest is normally built in a tree but some have been recorded in earth banks and termite mounds. They will make use of the abandoned nests of other birds such as woodpeckers.

A few days after the pair mate two to four eggs are deposited in the nest. Both members of the pair will sit on the nest till hatching occurs 17-18 days later. It takes at least 3 months for the chicks to reach adult size.

Sexual maturity is achieved by 4 years old.

Behavior

What does the Toco Toucan do during its day?

Toucans are normally solitary especially when they are feeding. Occasionally they will be found in groups of 6-7 individuals.

The toucans bright plumage is used a means of camouflage in the dappled sunlight of the rainforest.

The toco toucans vocalizations sounds like the croaking of a frog.

They are not adept flyers and will instead move from tree to tree by hopping.

Credit: Under License

Predators and Threats

What stops the Toco Toucan from surviving and thriving?

This species is preyed upon by large birds of prey, big cats and humans. The eggs of this species are taken by weasels, snakes and rats. Many small species are intimated by the large bill of this species.

Numbers of the toco toucan are in decline.

They are under pressure from hunting for food and collection for the pet trade.

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Quick facts

The toco toucan is a popular pet which is regularly kept around the world

Indigenous people of South America believe the toucan is a conduit between living people and the spirits. In some parts of their range they are considered an incarnation of the devil and it is believed that if a father eats a toucan it can bewitch their child.

Credit: Under License

References

Alderton, D. and Barrett, P., 2019. The complete illustrated encyclopedia of birds of the world. Lorenz Books.

Christiansen, P., 2019. Birds. London: Amber Books Ltd.

Behmke, S. 2011. "Ramphastos toco" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 21, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ramphastos_toco/

BirdLife International 2017. Ramphastos toco (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22682164A113557535. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T22682164A113557535.en. Downloaded on 22 April 2020.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/t/toco-toucan/. 2020. Toco Toucan | National Geographic. [online] Available at: <https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/t/toco-toucan/> [Accessed 22 April 2020].