Toucan - Keel Billed

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Scientific Name: Ramphastos s. sulfuratus

Basic Info

The large bill of the Keel Billed Toucan is deceptively lightweight, composed of a number of thin plates. It is colored black, yellow, orange, red, and green. Scientists do not have a good explanation as to why toucans evolved with such large bills. However, the bills are quite dexterous and Keel Billed Toucans do not have difficulty consuming the tropical fruits they seek out. Very colorful birds, Keel Billed Toucans have iridescent blue legs. Their lower chests have red borders separating them from the yellow colored parts of the upper chest, the neck, and the face. The eyes and lores are characterized by green skin. Under-tail coverts of Keel Billed Toucans are also red. The rest of the body is black, with white upper tail coverts. Keel Billed Toucans have zygodactyl feet. This means that two toes face forward and two face backward. By the time they are mature, Keel Billed Toucans are about 20 inches long.

Health

Keel Billed Toucans can be kept outdoors in temperatures between 32 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 30 degrees Celsius) provided they are allowed sufficient shelter. During the period of acclimation, temperatures should not fall very low nor rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor aviaries should be at least 8 x 12 x 6 feet in dimension, though 12 x 24 x 8 feet is ideal. Toucans can also do well indoors. Fresh water should be available at all times, and in hot weather, misters in outdoor aviaries may be a good idea. Perches should be available. With the addition of other birds, more cage room should be allowed. Usually Keel Billed Toucans may bully smaller birds, and any species kept with them should be of similar size to the toucan. Keel Billed Toucans should be fed a diet consisting mostly of fruit. Bananas, papayas, mangos, apples, and cantaloupe are all ideal. Citrus fruits should be fed sparingly, but can make a special treat from time to time. Some protein source should be available. Often low fat dog foods or specially formulated soft bill foods are offered in small quantities. Because Keel Billed Toucans can be susceptible to iron storage disease, you should try to feed them low iron diets. It is not advisable to clip Keel Billed Toucans' wings if they are kept in an aviary. This is because they cannot use their beaks to climb, like parrots can. If the wings are clipped, the aviary where the Keel Billed Toucan is kept should have perches placed at intervals convenient for climbing. Regular baths will be necessary, and you may wish to place a bath bucket or bowl in your Keel Billed Toucan's enclosure. Breeding Breeding pairs of Keel Billed Toucans should be allowed plenty of space and privacy. Though many will use nesting boxes, often nests are preferred. These can be made from a hollow log stood on end. Often, a nest that is two feet deep and about ten inches in diameter works best. Keel Billed Toucans lay whitish eggs. An average clutch contains between two and four eggs. Both parents assist in incubation, which generally takes 16 days. While young are being raised, Keel Billed Toucan parents are often offered soaked pellet feed and crickets to comprise the protein portion of their diet. They usually fledge between 46 and 50 days of age. If it is necessary to hand feed a Keel Billed Toucan, you should offer enough cubic centimeters of food to equal between 10 and 15 percent of the chick's body weight. This should be divided into six to ten servings, and the chicks should be fed about 6 times a day; very young chicks should be fed more frequently. Before feeding the chick more food, be sure that it has swallowed all the food in its mouth. If the mouth remains full, refrain from offering more food until the next feeding time. Usually, young Keel Billed Toucans are fed a basic hand raising formula mixed with strained papaya baby food.

Habitat

Found throughout much of Central and South America

Behavior

The Keel Billed Toucan is a strikingly beautiful bird. Its huge, colorful bill gives it an appearance unique among tropical birds. It is uncommon to see solitary Keel Billed Toucans. They spend most of their time feeding in flocks of more than six birds.Fruits are snipped off of stems using the bill, then consumed with a gulping motion when the toucan tosses its head back. Keel Billed Toucans fly with a burst of heavy wing flapping followed by a glide. Their raucous calls are croaking ?rrrk rrrk? noises similar to a sound one might expect a frog to make. Keel Billed Toucans even sleep in close proximity, taking over holes in trees. Often these are woodpecker holes that have been abandoned. In order to fit more birds into such a den, Keel Billed Toucans will fold their tails over their backs to make more room. In captivity, Keel Billed Toucans can be delightful companions. Though they do not have the capability to mimic speech, they are playful and often affectionate, loving to sit on their owner's shoulder. Keel Billed Toucans are also intelligent and can be taught a number of tricks.

Origin

Central and South America

History

Keel Billed Toucans are the national birds of Belize. They are found throughout much of Central and South America, ranging all the way from southern Mexico down through northern areas of Columbia. They are usually found in or on the edges of lowland forests.

Common Foods

Although they occasionally eat tree frogs, insects, or the eggs of other birds, fruit composes the largest part of the Keel Billed Toucan's diet.