Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Photo by Glen Tepke

Identification

Photographed in Panama.

The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), also known as Sulfur-breasted Toucan, Rainbow-billed Toucan, and simply "the bill bird", is a colorful South American bird with a large bill. This social bird lives in small flocks in lowland rainforests, but as it is a poor flyer, the toucan moves mostly by hopping around trees. Toucans roost in holes in trees, and they have a croaking call that sounds like "RRRRK".

The Keel-billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize.

Keel-billed Toucans can be found from Southern Mexico to around Venezuela and Colombia. They roost in the canopies of tropical, subtropical, and lowland rainforests. They make their homes in holes in trees often living with several other toucans. This can be a very cramped living space, so they tuck their tails and beaks under themselves to conserve space while sleeping. Adding to the lack of space, the bottoms of the holes are often covered with pits from the fruit the toucans have eaten

Like many toucans, Keel-billed Toucans are very social, very playful birds. They travel in flocks of approximately six to twelve other birds, and have a family structure within their group. They will often be seen "dueling" with each other with their bills, and throwing fruit into each other's mouths. As mentioned before, the Keel-billed Toucans live together in these groups, often sharing cramped living quarters of holes in trees. They are rarely seen alone.

The diet of Keel-billed Toucans consists mostly of a wide range of fruit, but may also include bird eggs, insects, lizards, tree frogs. Their bill, surprisingly dexterous, allows them to eat a large variety of fruit that might not otherwise be reached. When eating the fruit, Keel-billed Toucans will use their bill to pick the fruit, and then toss their heads back and swallow the fruit whole.

The female Keel-billed Toucan will usually lay one to four white eggs in a grouping called a clutch.And have sex with their young. The male and female share in the caring of the eggs, both taking turns sitting on them.

The eggs hatch approximately 15-20 days after being laid. After hatching, the male and female again take turns feeding the chicks. When the chicks hatch, they have no feathers, and keep their eyes closed for approximately three weeks. The chicks have adequately formed heel pads, which assist them in their life in the bottom of the nest. The chicks will stay in their nest for approximately eight to nine weeks as their bills develop fully and they become ready to fly

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