A remarkable bill

Birdorable Toco Toucan

With its massive orange-yellow bill, the Toco Toucan is one of the most recognized birds in the world. Here are some interesting facts about the Toco Toucan and its amazing bill.

  • The Toco Toucan is the largest species of toucan in the world. There are about 40 species of toucan in total.
  • The bill of the Toco Toucan is nearly 8 inches long. Its tongue is not much shorter - that's a long tongue!
  • A toucan's bill is largely hollow, with a boney structure similar to that of a sponge. It may look like a formidable weapon, but its use as a defensive aid is more psychological (intimidation) than physical.
  • Up to 50% of a Toco Toucan's total body surface area can be found in its bill.
  • Toco Toucans use their massive bills to skin fruit and to grab hard-to-reach food items.
  • Toucan bills may help the birds regulate heat; the large surface area of the bill radiates heat away from the bird's body in their warm tropical environment.
  • A Toco Toucan can live up to 20 years in the wild.
  • Toco Toucans are cavity nesters. Can you imagine this amazing bird using its bill to hollow out a tree cavity for its nest?

If you can't get enough of Toco Toucans, be sure to check out Birdorable's selection of Toco Toucan t-shirts and gifts!

Birdorable Toco Toucan gifts

Comments

Be the first to comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published

Cute video: sweet sleepy lovebird

Do you ever feel sleepy while working at the computer? This adorable video of a lovebird dozing on a laptop might inspire you to go take a nap right now yourself. Be sure to check out the super-cute yawn towards the end of the clip.

Birdorable American Oystercatcher

Birdorable.com welcomes the American Oystercatcher to the Birdorable family of cute birds. This unique bird is marked by its black and white body and a long, thick orange beak. They use this large and heavy beak to pry open molluscs. The American Oystercatcher is found on...

Chick Magnet

A Birdorable cute baby chick is being drawn upwards by a huge magnet - it's a chick magnet! A cute, funny design for chick magnets with a sense of humor. A Birdorable original.

2020 Bonanza Bird #25: Javan Hawk-Eagle

Today’s new Birdorable is a bird of prey endemic to Indonesia. The Javan Hawk-Eagle can only be found on the island of Java. Adult Javan Hawk-Eagles can be recognized by their very tall dark head crests and dark brown upperparts. They also have...