Rainbow taucan

Class: Birds

Order: Piciformes

Family: Ramphastidae

Weight: 275–500 g

Body length: 42–55 cm, beak length – 12–15 cm

Coloration: The rainbow toucan has vibrant colors. Its beak features shades of green, red, blue, and orange. The body’s main plumage is black, with a bright yellow throat and chest. The tips of the wings and tail are decorated with red and blue feathers.

Age of sexual maturity: 3–4 years

Incubation period: about 16 days

Lifespan: up to 15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity

Habitat: Rainbow toucans inhabit the tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia. They prefer humid forests but can also be found in mountain forests at elevations up to 2,000 meters.

Diet: The diet of rainbow toucans consists mainly of fruits, but they also eat insects, small reptiles, eggs, and chicks of other birds. Occasionally, they consume small mammals.

Did you know?

• Rainbow toucans have surprisingly lightweight beaks despite their large size, allowing them to move easily through trees and gather food.
• Toucans are social birds and live in small groups. They often communicate with loud, croaking sounds.
• Rainbow toucans use their long beaks for thermoregulation, dissipating excess heat through them in hot weather.
• These birds are poor fliers and prefer to hop between branches. Due to their weak flying ability, they do not migrate and tend to stay in one place for life.
• The rainbow toucan is a national symbol of Costa Rica and is one of the most recognizable birds in the world, thanks to its colorful appearance.