The toco toucan is the largest species of toucan found in central and eastern South America. It has an orange skin around its eye and a black body, except for its white throat. Its most distinctive feature is its large colorful bill that can measure up to 18.75 cm. Toco toucans mainly eat fruits but will also consume insects, small reptiles, birds, and eggs. Their range has decreased due to heavy deforestation for agriculture and some toucan species are hunted for their feathers, as pets, or trophies.
3. FAST FACTS
• DESCRIPTION:Orange skin around eye; black body
except for white throatSIZE:Body: 62.5 cm (25 in)
Beak: 18.75 cm (7.5 in)WEIGHT:600g (12
oz)DIET:Omnivorous; mainly fruits, but occasionally
insects, reptiles, birds and eggsINCUBATION:16-20
daysCLUTCH SIZE2-4 eggsFLEDGING DURATION8-9
weeksSEXUAL MATURITY:3-4 yearsLIFE SPAN:Up to
20 yearsRANGE:Throughout eastern South
AmericaHABITAT:Tropical rain
forestsPOPULATION:GLOBALNo
dataSTATUS:IUCNNo dataCITESAppendix
IIUSFWSNo data
4. ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
• This species range is the victim of heavy
deforestation. There are areas of South and
Central America where some toucan species
are rare due to hunting for food, ornamental
feathers, and trophy. Many species of toucan
are popular in the pet trade due to its brightly
colored bill and keen intelligence.
5. • The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), also
known as the common toucan or
simply toucan, is the largest and probably the
best known species in the toucan family. It is
found in semi-open habitats throughout a
large part of central and eastern South
America. It is a common attraction in zoos.
