Toucan is the name given to some birds belonging to the Ramphastidae family, which also has aracaris and saripocas as representatives. The birds of this family stand out because feature a large beak with vibrant coloration. They are found throughout the Neotropical region and feed mainly on fruits, but can also feed on eggs and chicks of other bird species.
See too:Evolutionary history of birds—did they evolve from dinosaurs?
Topics of this article
- 1 - Summary about the toucan
- 2 - Family Ramphastidae: the toucan family
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3 - Characteristics of the toucan
- toco toucan
- Green-billed Toucan
- Rainbow-billed Toucan
- 4 - Video lesson on birds
Summary about the toucan
Toucans are animals that stand out for having a large and colorful beak.
These birds are part of the Ramphastidae family, a group that brings together 34 species, which are divided into six genera.
They occur in the Neotropics and can be observed from the Mexico to the Argentina.
They usually feed on fruits, however, this is not their only source of nutrients. Some toucans also feed on eggs and small vertebrates.
The toco toucan stands out as the largest of the toucans.
Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)
Family Ramphastidae: the toucan family
Ramphastidae, of the order Piciformes, is the family of birds that includes toucans and also araçaris and saripocas. The family has 34 species, which are included in six genera.
Birds of the Ramphastidae family found in the Neotropics, from Mexico to Argentina, occupying habitats such as tropical forests, forest patches and montane forests.
The only species that occurs in open areas is stump Ramphastos, popularly called toco toucan or toucanuçu. In Brazil, the greatest diversity of species of this family is observed in Amazon region.
The birds of the Ramphastidae family have the presence of a colorful and large beak as their most striking characteristic. Despite being a large beak, it is light, formed by bone trabeculae with a spongy appearance. The distinctive beak of these animals is important to ensure the harvest of fruitsin places inaccessible to other birds.
Also, the toucan's beak:
helps prey on eggs and chicks in nests located in tree hollows;
relates to attracting mates;
helps to scare away other competing birds.
It is worth mentioning that the birds of this family, due to the diet that includes fruits, it presentsm great ecological importance, acting as aseed dispersers.
In addition to the large and colorful beak, the birds of the Ramphastidae family have showy plumage, especially in the crop region. The feet of these birds are zygodactyls, that is, they have two toes facing forward and two facing backwards. Another striking feature is the bipartite uropygial gland (secretor of an oily substance used to waterproof the feather).
To the birds of this group have diurnal habits and spend the night on tree branches or inside hollows. To sleep, they are able to project their tail forward, an ability achieved thanks to the arrangement of their caudal vertebrae.
You rhamphasids nest in cavities or crevices, in ravines and trees. Usually, they lay two to four eggs. Incubation is about 18 days, and the chicks are born with their eyes closed and without feathers. Parental care is observed, which is carried out by the female and the male.
Read too: Adaptations of birds to flight — which aspects favor this action?
characteristics of the toucan
the toucans are birds of faithfamily RamphastidaIt is and stand out for their large, colorful and laterally flattened beak. Among all birds, toucans stand out for presenting one of the biggest beaks in relation to body size.
The beak of these animals acts as:
form of feeding;
sounding board;
sexual ornament;
important area for heat exchange, since the beak is vascularized.
Toucans are found in the Neotropics and feed on a wide variety of fruits. Their diet, however, is not restricted to this. They present a size that varies from 46 to 66 cm in length.
toucan species
Next, let's get to know three species of toucans better:
toco toucan
The toco toucan (stump Ramphastos), also known as toucanuçu, stands out as the largest of all toucans, with an average of 56 cm in length and 540 g in mass. He is found in thick and inland forests Brazil, occurring in semi-open and closed areas.
It has black feathers on much of its body.. In the neck region, the feathers are white. Around the eyes, the skin is bare and orange or yellow in color. The toco toucan's eyelid is turquoise blue. The toco toucan's beak is wide, long, with a vibrant orange hue, red streaks perpendicular to the main axis and a black spot at the end.
This species of toucan feeds on fleshy fruits and arils of seeds of different species, as well as eggs and chicks of other bird species. They are observed living in flocks of about 20 individuals. and during the reproductive period, they are separated into couples.
To nest, they find cavities in hollow trees and use their beak to make them the ideal size. They lay two to four eggs, which incubate for about 16 days. These toucans are monogamous and live, on average, 40 years..
Know more:Blue macaw — the macaw species known for forming highly faithful couples
Green-billed Toucan
The green-billed toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) is an endemic species of Atlantic forest, that is, it occurs only in this region. As its popular name suggests, it is a species that has a green beak. Its beak also has a black base and a red edge of the maxilla and mandible. The region around the eyes consists of orange-red bare skin. In the region of the back, tail and flanks, the plumage is black. The throat and chest are yellow, and the belly is red.
This toucan is smaller than the toco toucan, being about 42 to 48 cm in length and 400 g in mass. This species feeds on fruits, insects and small birds. During the reproductive phase, the couple aggressively defends their territory.. They nest in cavities and lay two to five eggs, which are incubated for 16 days.
Rainbow-billed Toucan
The rainbow-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), also known as the yellow-breasted toucan, It is a species of toucan that stands out for its very colorful beak., predominantly yellowish-green in color, with an orange stripe on the lower side of the upper jaw and a red stripe on the tip. The mandible has a bluish region in the area posterior to the tip of the beak.
In addition, the region around the eyes is yellowish-green or blue-green. The chest region, as one of its popular names suggests, is yellowish, as well as the throat and neck. Most of its plumage is black. This species of toucan is found in the north of Colombia It is Central America.
Video lesson about birds
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
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