Blue toucan full size#

The species' overall numbers, however, are declining. These iconic birds are listed as 'least concern' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature because they occupy such a large range.

Blue toucan full size#

Young toucans do not have a large bill at birth-it grows as they develop and does not become full size for several months. These toucans nest in tree cavities and usually lay two to four eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. The birds keep up a racket of vocalizations- mainly grunting and snoring sounds-that are often compared to the croaking of frogs. Their bright colors provide good camouflage in the dappled light of the rainforest canopy. The loco Toco Toucan is one of the most famous birds in the Amazon jungle and an absolute zoo must-see. Toco toucans feed either individually or in small flocks in the canopy. In addition to fruit such as figs, oranges, and guavas, toco toucans eat insects and eggs and nestlings of young birds. And the bill's serrated edges are useful for peeling fruit.

The birds use them to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support their weight.

The toco toucan can also regulate the flow of blood to its bill, allowing the bird to use it as a way to distribute heat away from its body. While its size may deter predators, it is of little use in fighting them. It's a lightweight honeycomb of keratin-the same protein that makes up fingernails and horn-supported by thin rods of bone. As a weapon, however, the bill is more show than substance. Their exact purpose isn't clear, though they're believed to play a role in the courthship ritual and in self-defense. Toucan bill and dietīoth male and female toucans possess large, colorful bills. Indigenous peoples regard the bird with a sacred eye they are traditionally seen as conduits between the worlds of the living and the spirits. They can weigh nearly two pounds and grow to 25 inches long, with their bill accounting for nearly half of their length. Its oversized, colorful bill has made it one of the world's most popular birds: They're familiar commercial mascots, known for hawking stout, cereal, and other products. The toco toucan, the largest and best-known toucan species, is at home in South America's tropical forests.