El toucan belongs to a group of medium-sized birds with exceptionally large bills. Their developed bills are usually brightly colored and much longer and thicker than their heads. Continue reading to know everything about these birds, toucan information and more.
toucan characteristics
These birds have a whole series of quite attractive feathers with a jet-colored body, white neck and a blue or orange ring around the eyes. Still, its most notable feature is the giant yellow beak with a black or blue tip, which looks heavy but is surprisingly light since its insides are hollow. Toucans average 60 cm in length, with beaks measuring up to 21 cm.
In this way it can be seen that each of the animals belonging to this group, the toucans, have colossal beaks and most are quite long and full of nuances. The beaks of some of these birds are as long as their bodies. Its stripes are red, green, orange, blue, yellow, black and more. Each individual toucan varies in color.
Some are mostly black, while others have spots of yellow, orange, green, red, and more. They vary in size and the largest species is the I play Toucan, grows up to more than half a meter
Toucans' beaks can be a third of the bird's total length. Although the beak seems complicated to handle, even heavy, it is made up of a fairly aerial bone protected by keratin, the same component of the nails that we all know.
Birds likely use this coloration for species recognition, as many toucans have similar body patterns and coloration, primarily black with a deep breast color. The bill is also believed to have a chilling effect on other birds, including hawks. The wings of these birds are short and rounded and the tail is usually long; these features, along with the large bill, cause them to fly in a faded manner.
The different types of toucans
There are an infinity of various Types of birds like the toucan, which vary in size from 15 centimeters to more than half a meter long. They are distinguished by their large, colorful bills, which can be a single color or a combination of an open and wonderful range of hues. Toucans make their home in South and Central America, contributing to the rainforest ecosystem.
Ramphastos: The largest
The largest toucans belong to this genus and encompass a variety of more than a dozen types of these birds. The Keel-billed Toucan has a green bill with red and orange sides; its blue legs give it another touch of color. Almost the entirety of this bird's beak as a duct is black, although it sports a nice light blue color at its base.
Despite its name, the red-breasted toucan has a glowing amber chest, resting on the bright red feathers on its abdomen; its beak is pale green, which explains its alternate name, the green-billed toucan. The largest and most recognized toucan is the toco toucan.
Andigena: The Toucans of the mountains
As their name implies, these toucans of a more average size choose higher altitudes, specifically, the cool forests of the high haciendas of the Andes of South America. They contain the Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan, Silver-billed Mountain Toucan, Black-billed Mountain Toucan, and Hooded Mountain Toucan.
Taking the latter as an example, their upper bodies are olive-brown, topped by a black halo and tipped with a yellow rump. They all have bluish-gray feathers on the underside of their bodies, but their beaks vary in color.
Another is the aracarí. These colorful birds are also medium-sized toucans, enjoying life in the hot jungles of Central and South America. Unlike other toucans, these birds roost in groups throughout the year, with up to six adults and young chicks sharing a shelter. There are 14 types of aracaris, all with colorful plumage and bills. The curly-crested aracari is distinguished by its shiny curly feathers on its crown; the pens look and feel like plastic.
The fire-billed aracari has a large beak with dazzling orange on top and black below. His amber eyes are tinted over the black feathers on his head and he sports a distinctive black shadow on his chest against his yellow chest and over a red stripe on his belly.
Green Toucans and Dichromatic Toucans
Green toucans live in the cool forests of South America and in mountainous thickets. They are smaller toucans, measuring 30 to 40 centimeters and have primarily green feathers and beaks. Types of green toucans include the crimson-rumped toucan, brown-tipped toucan, blue-banded toucan, groove-billed toucan, yellow-browed toucan, and emerald toucan.
The emerald toucan has six subspecies of toucans in its family. Dichromatic toucans tend to stick to lowland tropical forests in South America. These types of green feathers are stationary and feed alone or in pairs. Types of dichromatic toucans include the Guiana toucan, golden-necked toucan, Langsdorff's or green-billed toucan, tawny-haired toucan, pointed-billed toucan, yellow-eared toucan, and Gould's toucan.
What is the distribution and habitat of the toucan?
All the various species of these birds live in Central and South America. They inhabit practically any area of the mentioned zones already with tropical jungle. Different groups live in different regions, although some species have overlapping ranges. Many species have relatively large distributions and live in several countries. Others only live in a small isolated region and these species are often the ones that most threaten human activity.
Although there are many different groups of toucans, they all live in similar types of habitats. They love the jungle, particularly those in the tropics in hot regions with a lot of rain. Some of these birds live only in wild territories. Within the tropical forest, these birds inhabit the tops of the tallest trees, as they can find all the food they need in these locations.
Toucan Behaviors
The extensive beaks of the toucans are advantageous for obtaining things that it would not otherwise obtain. It is also used to segment their food and keep predators away. Toucans are typically seen in pairs or small family groups. In flight, alternates between a fast-limbed swoop with relatively short, rounded wings and gliding. Nesting is seasonal, but timing differs between regions.
The nest is usually placed high in a tree and consists of a cavity, at least part of which is excavated by the parent birds themselves. It has also been recorded to nest in holes in earthen banks and nests of terrestrial termites. Toucans often gather in large groups and argue loudly and noisily, their calls synchronized with the rapid upward movements of their bills.
Every species of toucan is different, but the vast majority of toucans are big eaters. They live in groups, known as mass birds. Masses of toucan birds spend their days roaming the treetops in search of food and calling loudly to one another. Scientists believe that these birds are monogamous and continue to breed with the same partner year after year. More eyes are also more effective at spotting potential predators.
Toucans are among the loudest of the forest birds; their repertoire includes loud screeches, trumpet voices, and harsh squawks. Larger species perch high in the tree canopy and utter loud cries that are accompanied by uncoordinated movements of the head and bill.
Vocalizations act as rally calls that attract groups of birds to good food supply sites. These sounds also appear to function in species recognition, as related groups of toucans living in the same habitat have distinctly different calls.
How does the reproduction process take place?
Different species of these birds have different reproductive tactics, but are quite similar in behavior and rate of development. All species nest between concavities in tree trunks. Depending on the species, some lay a single egg, while others lay up to five eggs. The eggs hatch in about two to three and a half weeks. The newly hatched chicks begin to fly when they are six to eight weeks old.
El toucan life cycle Common is annual. After copulation, the female usually lays 2 pure snow-colored eggs a few days after mating. The young hatch naked and blind after 15–20 days and remain in the nest for up to 6 weeks, cared for by both parents. When sleeping, the toucan turns its head so that its long beak rests on its back, then folds its long tail neatly over the young.
Instead, they find old woodpecker nests or natural holes formed by lost tree branches. Two to four gleaming snow-colored eggs are deposited in an unlined cavity, where both parents take turns incubating them. Incubation lasts from 15 days to seven weeks or more in some species. Naked hatchlings have large pads on their heels.
They lack the large bill, but do grow it almost to the end during their time in the nest. After about 50 days, the chicks begin to live on their own. Family groups can stay together for a long time, as small masses of birds are often seen throughout the year.
Interaction between toucans and humans
Most toucan species have healthy populations, but that doesn't mean they aren't endangered. Particularly in certain regions, humans are destroying the rainforest at an alarming rate. Without their rainforest habitat, the populations of these special birds decline.
Humans also capture many different species of Toucans for the exotic pet trade. Some species are more common and therefore less affected, but for others, human activity is more detrimental.
Is owning a toucan legal?
Keeping this bird in captivity is not legal everywhere. In some nations, their commercialization is rigorously prevented and the ownership of these animals. Under these circumstances, the only way to abide by the law and still enjoy the company of these amazing birds would be to have a title from a zoo that reveres the necessary codes.
For the most part, toucans do not make good pets. They are correspondingly intelligent birds and, when kept in zoos, need many different toys and opportunities for sustenance.
How should a toucan's cage be cleaned?
What is the diet of the toucan?
Although each species is different, most toucans eat mainly fruits, which makes them one of the largest eaters of this type of food. However, when the opportunity arises, they will sometimes feed on small animals or eggs. They eat everything from frogs and insects to reptiles and small birds. However, 90% of their diet consists of fruits. In fact, there are some plant species that rely on toucans to spread their seeds by eating their fruit.
When feeding, the toucan obtains food with its bill with a serrated edge and must throw its head back before swallowing. Toucans are also predators of the contents of songbird nests, consuming both eggs and chicks. When feeding, toucans form large associations of two or more species that seek out fruit trees.
Frequent diseases in Toucans
These birds do not have a long enough life expectancy, especially if they live locked up in cages. This is basically due to the fact that they can suffer from a series of very particular ailments:
- Plucking feathers: If the toucan is suddenly found to be plucking its feathers in an uncontrolled manner, this is a sign that it may have some parasites among the feathers that need to be located and eradicated. It can also be due to emotional stress or a diet that is very low in minerals.
- Hemosiderosis: It is the most common disease in toucans and the main cause of their high mortality. It is caused by increased iron levels in some of your organs and bloodstream. In the case of early detection, it can be dealt with, but if left unchecked, it could increase.
- Hemochromatosis: It is a more serious degree of the above ailment where there are accumulations of iron in certain organs and this causes them to malfunction and you may have problems with your heart or with one of the organs working properly. If you have severe cases, the bird will die within 24 hours.
- Peak Fracture: It is usually the most common "illness" in toucans, since they use their beak for almost everything and can break or dislocate it with a bad movement, so to speak. Like, for example, using it to hit a wall or for a bad move.
- Joint gout: just like humans, toucans can also suffer from gout. This may be due to a deficiency of protein, minerals and calcium. Therefore, they must receive vitamin and anti-inflammatory supplements, avoiding the bird's stress at all times.
- Avian pseudotuberculosis: It particularly affects this type of bird and is one of the main causes of death of this bird due to an acute reaction after having gestated for a certain time. It is deadly to birds and symptoms include enlarged liver, ascites and pneumonia.
- Common cold: Toucans are very hardy birds, but they are not free from the common cold. The main reason is that the cage is in a place where it receives drafts. It can be cured with antibiotics in water.
What should be done to raise a Toucan?
In zoos, toucans need a variety of sticks and plenty of room to fly. In the wild, they live in regions with high humidity and lots of vegetation, so their enclosures should replicate this habitat. These are intelligent birds that thrive when they have a variety of toys, feeders, and a positive reinforcement training program. Zookeepers feed them a variety of fruits, insects, and occasionally small mammals or eggs.
The toucan should be offered a temperature between 17°C and 26°C and a respective high humidity level up to 67%. This is because toucans are tropical birds and must be kept as close to their native conditions as possible. Toucans are mostly vegetarian, but do need some animal protein in their diet, which in their natural habitat is derived from insects, small lizards, chicks, and some rodents.
The basis of their diet is fruit, followed by vegetables. This is because toucans have a minimal digestive tube where food remains for a short period of time, so they need to eat highly hydrating foods such as fruits. Among the most desirable fruits for toucans we can find: banana, papaya, apple (seedless), pear, melon, mango, among others.
They should be 2 or 3 centimeters (1 inch) in diameter, made with boiled rice, carrot, cucumber, and potato, to supplement the toucan's fruit-based diet. These little supplements should occasionally include a bit of ground meat to balance their diet and make it somewhat similar to that of a toucan in the wild. Toucans must have clean water at all times.
The hygiene and cleaning of the aviary of a toucan must be very meticulous to avoid discomfort, but it should not be done with common household cleaning products. Cleaners that are not harmful to these birds should be used. Toucans can be attacked by parasites; in that case it will be necessary to consult with an exotic animal veterinarian about which product is the most appropriate to help these birds.
Threats suffered by the Toucan
The threat to toucans is no different than to parrots. In fact, its very limited habitat and small number of species, only five, make its survival a much greater threat. Habitat loss due to depopulation and the mindless creation of farmland, especially in the Amazon, are common threats.
The toucan is hunted for the rich fabric that its feathers provide, which has great commercial value. Toucans do even worse as pets than other birds like the Yellow Cardinal dying of sheer desolation. Being deep forest birds, they are susceptible to diseases arising from sudden human presence in their vicinity.
Relevant information about toucans
There are so many diverse and graceful groups of toucans and aracaris. Each one is unique and interesting, so some of the interesting facts about various birds from the various existing groups are highlighted below.
- Choco Toucan: El Chocó is similar, but less colorful, than its similar El Toco. The name "Choco" is in reference to the forests inhabited by these birds. Choco toucans live in the Choco rainforests.
- Black-necked Aracari: this species has black feathers and a bright yellow belly. As its name suggests, its throat is black. Halfway down its yellow belly, it has a thick strip of bright red feathers. These starkly contrasting colors are probably where this bird got its nickname, the beautiful Aracari.
- Yellow-browed Toucanet: this bird has green feathers and bright yellow “eyebrows” above the eyes. They live only in a small portion of tropical rainforest in Peru. Unfortunately farmers use this area to grow coca plants and this habitat destruction is driving the birds to extinction. Therefore it is classified as endangered toucan.