Species · GBIF taxon 2478765
Toco Toucan
Ramphastos tocoAlso known as Common Toucan, Giant Toucan
Toco toucans command attention with their oversized, translucent-orange bills, which function as sophisticated thermal radiators to regulate body heat in the tropical warmth. These social birds travel in small, noisy flocks, tossing wild fruits into the air before swallowing them whole. They nest in natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes, where both parents share the duties of incubating eggs and rearing the chicks.
FrugivorousCanopy DwellerVocal
Licensed referenceGiles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Omnivorous, primarily feeding on fruits, but also consuming insects, frogs, lizards, and the eggs or nestlings of other birds.
- family
- Ramphastidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, fragmentation, and the illegal pet trade.
- life Span
- 12 to 20 years
LC
Capable of delivering a painful pinch with their large bill if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- Listen for vocalizations: Listen for their deep, frog-like croaking calls, which often betray their presence in the canopy before they are seen.
- Watch the canopy edges: Scan the borders of gallery forests and open savannas during early morning and late afternoon when they are most active.
- Observe feeding behavior: Look for their characteristic head-toss, a technique they use to flip food from the tip of the bill into the throat.