Keel-billed Toucan

The Keel-billed Toucan, known scientifically as Ramphastos sulfuratus, is a vibrant avian spectacle and the national bird of Belize. This species is adorned with a strikingly colorful bill, reminiscent of a rainbow, and is a member of the toucan family found in Latin America.

Identification Tips

Adult Keel-billed Toucans are identifiable by their large, multi-hued bill, which is predominantly green with a red tip and orange flanks. Their plumage is primarily black with a bright yellow throat and chest. The tail is tipped with red feathers, and their feet are a striking blue. Despite the bill's size, it is a lightweight structure composed of keratin-covered hollow bone.

Habitat

The Keel-billed Toucan favors the canopies of tropical and subtropical rainforests, thriving at elevations up to 1,900 meters. They are known to roost communally in tree cavities.

Distribution

This species ranges from southern Mexico through to Venezuela and Colombia, inhabiting a broad swath of Central and South America's lush jungles.

Behaviour

Social by nature, Keel-billed Toucans are seldom seen alone, preferring the company of small flocks. They exhibit playful behavior, such as bill "dueling" and tossing fruit to one another. Their flight is characterized by a series of rapid wing beats followed by a gliding motion, with the bill angled downward.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Keel-billed Toucan include a range of croaks, grunts, and bill clacks, which are often heard during their social interactions.

Breeding

Breeding pairs nest in tree cavities, where they lay 1-4 white eggs. Both parents share incubation duties and later, the feeding of their chicks. The young are born featherless and with closed eyes, taking about 8-9 weeks to develop fully and fledge.

Diet and Feeding

Keel-billed Toucans are omnivorous, with a diet that includes a variety of fruits, seeds, insects, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. Their agile bills enable them to forage for food that might otherwise be out of reach.

Conservation status

The Keel-billed Toucan is currently classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss, hunting, and trapping for the pet trade. The population is experiencing a moderately rapid decline, necessitating conservation efforts to ensure its survival.