Keel-billed toucans are about twenty inches long with a colorful bill and neck. Its beak can grow to be one third of its body size; the large banana shaped bill is what distinguishes it the most. But, the bill is amazingly lightweight for its size because of its hollow, bone-reinforced structure. The body of a Ramphastos sulfuratus is black with a yellow neck and tropical colored bill. The male and female characteristics are almost the same except for the fact that the males are just slightly bigger. Its tail is long and sort of square shaped and its wings are short and wide which enable it to fly through trees. The bill bird is one of the larger species of toucans; they weigh about 400 grams (14.8 oz.).

 

The lifespan of a Keel-billed toucan is about 20 years in the wild and 15 years in captivity. Keel-Billed toucans are not found in many different places. They are usually located in southern Mexico, Venezuela, and Columbia because these are more tropical, moist areas. There are some in the Amazon Rainforest but because it is being inhabited by humans, there aren’t that many living there. They do well in that ecosystem because of them being birds and needing trees for protection and living.

 

Keel-billed toucans settle in the canopies of tropical, subtropical, and lowland rainforests. But, there are not that many of them around anymore. Humans are destroying their habitat and by doing so, they are killing them. Their population is shrinking; however they are not placed in the endangered list. They are classified under an extra protection list. The bill bird is more towards the middle of the food chain. What really helps them compete for food is their beak. With it being so pointy, they can peck at fruit and chop food nicely. The animals they compete for food with are mostly other toucans and birds. Their main diet when in the wild is mostly fruit but occasionally eggs, small birds, insects, and small lizards.

 

The bill bird’s predators are weasels, birds of prey (like eagles or hawks), and most of all, humans. Weasels are not that much of a threat to them but can be at some times, like when closer to the ground. Birds of prey, however, are a very big threat because of their diet. The keel-billed evades from being eaten by flying high into the air or in the case of a hawk or eagle, they try to out fly them. There are many interesting facts about this fascinating bird. The keel-billed toucan is the national bird of Belize and responsible for much of the tourism In that country.

 

They are known for flying in areas frequented by tourists and often stroll around outdoors waiting for a handout. Another interesting fact about the bill bird is that they are the largest and most vocal of all the toucan species. Although they travel in fairly small flocks of up to twelve birds, their loud croaking and calling can be heard up to one and a half miles away.

 

Author: Isabela R

Published: 02/2007

 

Information Provided By: “Animal Diversity Web” 22 January 2007 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ramphastos_sulfuratus.html “The Belize Zoo” 22 January 2007 http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/birds/tou/tou2.html “The Sac Zoo” 6 February 2007 http://www.saczoo.com/1_about/_animals/fact_sheets/keel_billed_toucan2.pdf Picture provided by: Anonymous “Animal Diversity Web” http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ramphastos_sulfuratus.html