General Information

Like many toucans, Keel-billed Toucans like to be very social, playful birds. They travel in flocks of approximately six to twelve, and have a family structure within their group. They often "duel" with each other using their bills, and throwing fruit into each other's mouths.

Physical Description

Including their bills, Keel-billed Toucans range in length from around 17 to 22 inches. Their large and colorful bills average around 5-6 inches. While the bill seems large and heavy, it is actually hollow and made of keratin, a very light protein.

Diet

The Keel-billed Toucan's diet consists mostly of a wide range of fruit, but may also include bird eggs, insects, lizards, and tree frogs. Their bill is surprisingly dexterous and allows them to eat a large variety of fruit that would be impossible to reach otherwise. When eating the fruit, Keel-billed Toucans will use their bill to pick the fruit, and then toss their heads back and swallow it whole.

Habitat

This social bird lives in small flocks in tropical, subtropical, and lowland rainforests, but because it is a poor flyer, it can only move by hopping around from tree to tree. Toucans roost in the holes of trees, and they have a croaking call that sounds like "RRRRK". Keel-billed Toucans can be found from Southern Mexico to around Venezuela and Colombia.

Reproduction

The female Keel-billed Toucan will usually lay one to four white eggs in a clutch. The male and female share incubation duties and the eggs will hatch about 15-20 days after being laid. After hatching, the male and female will also take turns feeding the chicks. The chicks will stay in their nest for approximately eight to nine weeks as their bills develop fully and they become ready to fly.