Sulfur-breasted toucan, Rainbow-billed toucan, Keel-billed toucan, Sulfur-breasted toucan, Rainbow-billed toucan
The keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus ), also known as sulfur-breasted toucan or rainbow-billed toucan, is a colorful Latin American member of the toucan family. It is the national bird of Belize. The species is found in tropical jungles from southern Mexico to Colombia. It is an omnivorous forest bird that feeds on fruits, seeds, insects, invertebrates, lizards, snakes, and small birds and their eggs.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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FrugivoreA frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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GlidingGliding flight is heavier-than-air flight without the use of thrust and is employed by gliding animals. Birds in particular use gliding flight to m...
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Serial monogamySerial monogamy is a mating system in which a pair bonds only for one breeding season.
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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Colorful AnimalsKeel-billed toucans are colorful Latin American members of the toucan family. These birds are most known for their large and colorful bill that averages around 12-15 cm (4.7-5.9 in); it is mainly green with a red tip and orange sides. The plumage of Keel-billed toucans is mainly black with a yellow neck and chest. They have blue feet and red feathers at the tip of their tail.
Keel-billed toucans are found from Southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia. They don't migrate and live in tropical, subtropical, and lowland rainforests.
Keel-billed toucans are very social birds, rarely seen alone. They fly in small flocks of approximately 6 to 12 individuals through jungles. Their flight is slow and undulating, consisting of rapid wing beats, then a glide with the bird's beak extending forward and dipping downward as though pulling the rest of the bird. Their feet are drawn up forward in flight. The flight distances are typically short. They live together in groups, often sharing cramped living quarters of holes in trees and there is a family structure within the group. Keel-billed toucans are diurnal spending most of their time in tree canopies and at night they roost in holes in trees, often with several other toucans. These are very playful birds that often "duel" with each other using their bills, and throw fruit into each other's mouths. They also 'play ball', one throwing fruit in the air and a second seizing it.
Keel-billed toucans are herbivorous (frugivorous) birds that feed mainly on a wide range of fruit but may also eat insects, eggs, nestlings, and lizards.
It is believed that Keel-billed toucans form serially monogamous pairs that stay together at least throughout the year. The female lays 1 to 4 white eggs in a natural or already-made tree cavity. Both parents share in caring for the eggs and both take turns incubating. The eggs hatch approximately 15-20 days after being laid. After hatching, the male and female again take turns feeding the chicks. The chicks hatch altricial; they have no feathers and have their eyes closed for approximately 3 weeks. The young stay in their nest for approximately 8 to 9 weeks while their bills develop fully and they are ready to fledge from the nest.
Keel-billed toucans are widespread and are not endangered at present. However, these birds are still threatened by hunting for their meat and beaks, and the populations of this species are on a decreasing trend.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Keel-billed toucan population size is around 50,000-499,999 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
The keel-billed toucan is sometimes kept in captivity, but it requires a high-fruit diet and is sensitive to hemochromatosis (an iron storage disease).
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...