The toucan resembles the raven in manners and intelligence. It is a courageous animal, but easily tamed. Its long and stout beak serves to defend it at a distance. It makes itself master of the house, steals whatever it can come at, and loves to bathe often...
~ Alexander Von Humboldt, Prussian naturalist and explorer (1769–1859)
Any of about 40 species (family Ramphastidae) of large-billed, long-tailed Central and South American birds. Many species are black with a bold breast colour; their thick, saw-edged bills are brightly and distinctively coloured. Bands of toucans emit loud barks, bugling calls, and harsh croaks. They eat fruit, insects, lizards, and nestling birds. Toucans deposit two to four eggs in an unlined natural tree cavity or an abandoned woodpecker hole. Ramphastos species are up to 24 in. (60 cm) long, a third of which may be the bill. Smaller species (toucanets) are 10 14 in. (25 35 cm) long.
Toucan
A bizarre bird with an enormous brightly colored beak. It is insectivorous and a member of the woodpecker group. There are several genera, e.g. Ramphastos and Pteroglossus in the order Piciformes.
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The toucan resembles the raven in manners and intelligence. It is a courageous animal, but easily tamed. Its long and stout beak serves to defend it at a distance. It makes itself master of the house, steals whatever it can come at, and loves to bathe often...
~ Alexander Von Humboldt, Prussian naturalist and explorer (1769–1859)
The Marvelous Toucan...
Any of about 40 species (family Ramphastidae) of large-billed, long-tailed Central and South American birds. Many species are black with a bold breast colour; their thick, saw-edged bills are brightly and distinctively coloured. Bands of toucans emit loud barks, bugling calls, and harsh croaks. They eat fruit, insects, lizards, and nestling birds. Toucans deposit two to four eggs in an unlined natural tree cavity or an abandoned woodpecker hole. Ramphastos species are up to 24 in. (60 cm) long, a third of which may be the bill. Smaller species (toucanets) are 10 14 in. (25 35 cm) long.
A bizarre bird with an enormous brightly colored beak. It is insectivorous and a member of the woodpecker group. There are several genera, e.g. Ramphastos and Pteroglossus in the order Piciformes.
britannica.com