Keel-billed ToucanKeel-billed ToucanThe The keel-billed toucankeel-billed toucan, , Ramphastos sulfuratusRamphastos sulfuratus, is , is a South American bird with a huge beak. This a South American bird with a huge beak. This social bird lives in small flocks in lowland social bird lives in small flocks in lowland rainforestsrainforests. It is a poor flyer, and moves mostly by . It is a poor flyer, and moves mostly by hopping around trees. Toucans roost in holes in hopping around trees. Toucans roost in holes in trees. They have a croaking call that sounds like trees. They have a croaking call that sounds like “RRRRK.” “RRRRK.”

AnatomyAnatomy: The toucan is about 20 inches (50 cm) long. The : The toucan is about 20 inches (50 cm) long. The toucan's enormous bill is up to one-third of its length. The bill is toucan's enormous bill is up to one-third of its length. The bill is brightly colored, light-weight, and edged with toothed margins. It brightly colored, light-weight, and edged with toothed margins. It has four toes on each foot; two toes face forwards and two face has four toes on each foot; two toes face forwards and two face backwards. Males are slightly larger than females, but their backwards. Males are slightly larger than females, but their coloration is similar. coloration is similar.

DietDiet: Toucan eat mostly fruit, but also eat bird eggs, insects, and : Toucan eat mostly fruit, but also eat bird eggs, insects, and tree frogs. Toucans swallow fruit whole and then regurgitate the tree frogs. Toucans swallow fruit whole and then regurgitate the seeds; this disperses viable (living) seeds in the forest. seeds; this disperses viable (living) seeds in the forest.

ReproductionReproduction: Females lay 1 : Females lay 1 to 4 white eggs in each to 4 white eggs in each clutchclutch (a set of eggs laid in one (a set of eggs laid in one nesting period). The eggs are nesting period). The eggs are laid in a hollow tree cavity. laid in a hollow tree cavity. Both parents incubate the Both parents incubate the eggs, and both Help feed eggs, and both Help feed the chicks. the chicks.

ClassificationClassification: Kingdom : Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Piciformes, Class Aves, Order Piciformes, Family Ramphastidae, Genus Family Ramphastidae, Genus Ramphastos, Species Ramphastos, Species R. sulfuratusR. sulfuratus..