Toco Toucan

The Toco Toucan is the largest member of the toucan family and one of the most recognizable birds in the world, thanks to its immense, vividly orange bill tipped in black. Its body is mostly glossy black, with a striking white throat and chest patch and a small area of red beneath the tail. Despite its size, the bill is remarkably lightweight, made of a keratin shell over a honeycomb-like bony structure.

It inhabits more open, semi-wooded habitats than most other toucans, often seen perched conspicuously atop trees or palms.

Key Field Marks

• Enormous bright orange bill with a black tip and base patch
• Glossy black body plumage
• Bright white throat and upper breast
• Small patch of red under the tail
• Pale blue skin around the eye

Similar Species

• Smaller toucan species such as the Channel-billed or Chestnut-mandibled Toucan have differently colored, more elongated bills and generally inhabit denser forest
• Aracaris and toucanets are notably smaller with slimmer, multicolored bills
• The Toco Toucan's size and bill color make it the easiest toucan to identify

Range

Widespread across central and eastern South America, including much of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.

Habitat

More tolerant of open habitat than other toucans, favoring savanna woodland, forest edges, palm groves, and gallery forest along rivers, rather than deep unbroken rainforest.

Migration

Generally non-migratory and resident, though may make local movements in response to fruit availability.

Behavior

Usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small loose groups, hopping along branches and making short, undulating flights between trees. Tosses fruit into the air before catching and swallowing it whole.

Voice

Utters a deep, croaking, far-carrying "graaak" or growling call, often repeated, quite different from a typical melodic songbird voice.

Feeding

Primarily frugivorous, using its long bill to reach fruit at the tips of branches; also opportunistically raids the nests of other birds for eggs and nestlings and takes insects and small reptiles.

Nesting & Breeding

Nests in natural tree cavities, sometimes enlarging existing holes since it cannot excavate wood itself; typically lays two to four eggs, incubated and cared for by both parents.