Toco toucan

The bird whose bill is bigger than its body

A toucan's orange bill is 20 cm — a third of its body! But it's light and spongy inside, like cork. The toucan plucks fruit with its bill, tosses it in the air and catches it. In hot weather the bill works as a 'radiator' and cools the body. Toucans sleep with the bill laid on their back and the tail folded over the head — like a ball!

The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the largest toucan (60 cm, bill 20 cm), living in the forests and savannas of South America. The bill, made of keratin and spongy bone, is 5% of its weight; a 2009 study found it the most efficient 'heat radiator' in the animal world — by controlling blood flow the toucan sheds 60% of its body heat through it. It eats fruit, insects and birds' eggs, and is important for spreading seeds. It nests in tree holes, laying 2–4 eggs. It flies poorly — hopping from tree to tree. Blue eye-skin and an orange bill make it a symbol of Brazil. It is trapped for the pet trade.

Fun facts

• A toucan's bill is a third of its length but only 5% of its weight.
• A toucan's bill is the best 'radiator' in the animal world.
• A toucan tosses fruit in the air and catches it in its mouth — like popcorn.