Home › Aves › Ramphastidae › Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
SPECIES PROFILE
Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco)
Ramphastos
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central and eastern South America
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Savanna, gallery forest, forest edge
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Piciformes
FAMILY
Ramphastidae
GENUS
Ramphastos
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 65 cm long
COLORATION
Black body, white throat and a giant orange bill with a black tip
ADAPTATIONS
Huge lightweight bill reaches fruit and helps shed body heat
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Savanna, gallery forest, forest edge
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central and eastern South America
REPRODUCTION
2-4 eggs in tree cavities
DIET DETAILS
Fruit, insects, eggs and small animals
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Pet trade, habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The largest toucan, its outsized bill acts as a radiator to control body temperature.
2
Despite its size the bill is mostly hollow and very light.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Pantanal
Chapada dos Guimarães
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch fruiting trees and forest edges in the early morning; the huge orange bill is unmistakable.
