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Toco toucan

Ramphastos toco

Male toco toucan at Paignton Zoo
IUCN Conservation Status –
Least Concern
Extinct In The Wild
Class: Birds
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae

Toco toucans are found in woodlands, savannahs and other open habitats across central and eastern South America.

Their diet mainly consists of fruit, but they will also consume nuts, berries, insects and frogs.

Interesting facts!

  • The Toco toucan is the biggest toucan species and also the most well known!
  • Their large beak, made from keratin, is used to get fruits and other food that would otherwise be out of reach.
  • Toucans can fly but are not overly great at it, so they will often hop and hover to move from branch to branch.

Conservation

The toco toucan is not currently threatened. Its preference for open habitat means it is not as affected by the wide spread deforestation in South America. On the other hand, the birds are hunted and trapped for the pet trade.

Our toucans are part of the European Studbook (ESB) for the species.