The Keel-billed Toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus, is one of the most distinct and charismatic species of the Costa Rican rainforest. Readily identifiable by its bright green red and orange bill, this species is a common resident of the rainforest canopy.
Toucans are members of family Rhamphastidae in the order Piciformes, and have several qualities in common with another family of this order, the woodpeckers. All members of this order have zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two toes behind. This toe arrangement provides the greatest possible traction for hanging on to tree trunks. Like woodpeckers, the toucans are hole-nesters, and due to limited numbers of natural holes and crevices will often be forced to share the holes with other toucans.
The diet of a toucan is mainly fruit, although they will sometimes consume eggs, insects and vertebrates (mostly frogs and lizards) to add protein to their diet. At the study site we have found that the resident toucans will sometimes move from tree to tree monitoring the ripeness of fruits in order to get the fruits at their peak. We hope that restoration of the Costa Rican rainforest helps to provide more space for these birds to live, and a better food source for them and their young.
Toucans are members of family Rhamphastidae in the order Piciformes, and have several qualities in common with another family of this order, the woodpeckers. All members of this order have zygodactyl feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two toes behind. This toe arrangement provides the greatest possible traction for hanging on to tree trunks. Like woodpeckers, the toucans are hole-nesters, and due to limited numbers of natural holes and crevices will often be forced to share the holes with other toucans.
The diet of a toucan is mainly fruit, although they will sometimes consume eggs, insects and vertebrates (mostly frogs and lizards) to add protein to their diet. At the study site we have found that the resident toucans will sometimes move from tree to tree monitoring the ripeness of fruits in order to get the fruits at their peak. We hope that restoration of the Costa Rican rainforest helps to provide more space for these birds to live, and a better food source for them and their young.
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