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Toucan (Keel-billed)

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Ramphastos sulfuratus
Toucan (Keel-billed)

Range

They are found in southern Mexico to northern South America.

Habitat

They live in lowland forests and forest borders.

Body Traits

They have a giant bill, which is hollow but strong, to pluck fruit. They are a colorful bird with a black back, yellow chest, blue feet, and a green, red and orange bill.

Habits

They are a social bird and gather in flocks of 6 or more birds. They sleep (roost) in tree holes. They can flip up their tails to rest up along their backs so they can fit in smaller tree holes.

Diet

They eat fruit by snipping them off the tree and flipping its head back to gulp the fruit down. They also eat insects, lizards, snakes and bird eggs. They spit out the seeds, which helps to spread them.

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School subscriptions can access more than 175 downloadable unit bundles in our store for free (a value of $1,500).

District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Email for a quote: sheri@exploringnature.org.

Reproduction

They nest in tree holes. Females lay 1- 4 eggs. Both parents take turns warming (incubating) the eggs and feeding the chicks.

Toucan (Keel-billed)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Genus: Ramphastos
Species: R. sulfuratus

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