Quick Facts
- Type
- Bird
- Size
- 55–65 cm including bill
- Weight
- 0.5–0.9 kg
- Habitat
- Woodlands and forest edges of South America
- Diet
- Fruit, insects, eggs, and small animals
- Active Time
- Active by day (diurnal)
- Lifespan
- About 20 years
Field Notes
- The toucan's giant bill is lightweight and helps the bird shed body heat.
- Despite its size, the bill is mostly hollow with a honeycomb-like structure.
- They sleep by turning their head around and folding the bill over their back.
About the Toco Toucan
The toco toucan is the largest and best-known toucan, native to the woodlands, savannas, and forest edges of South America. Its huge, bright-orange bill, though it looks heavy, is light and mostly hollow, supported by a network of bony struts. The bill helps the bird reach fruit on thin branches and also releases heat to regulate body temperature. Toco toucans live in small groups, eat mainly fruit along with insects and eggs, and nest in tree cavities. Their loud calls carry across the canopy.
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