Toco Toucan: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Parrots and Toucans · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. A toucan's bill works as a thermal radiator, with adjustable blood flow. For shedding body heat, it is comparable to elephant ears.
2. A toucan's beak looks heavy, but it is mostly hollow inside, so it is light. Its flat tongue is almost as long as the bill.
3. Toco toucans sound like toads: grunting, croaking and snoring notes, up to 50 notes per minute.
4. Toco toucans spread seeds far: one study found medium-sized seeds dropped 269-449 m from the parent plants.
5. Toco toucans can fly across water over 5 km wide. When foraging together, they fly treetop to treetop in single file.

The quiz

1. What is the toucan's bill compared to for shedding heat?

• Whale fins
• Peacock feathers
• Lizard tails
• Elephant ears (correct)

A toucan's bill works as a thermal radiator, with adjustable blood flow. For shedding body heat, it is comparable to elephant ears.

2. Why is a toucan's beak light despite looking heavy?

• It is largely hollow inside (correct)
• It is made of foam
• It is paper thin
• It is full of feathers

The beak is light because it is largely hollow inside.

3. Which animal do toco toucan calls resemble?

• Cats
• Owls
• Toads (correct)
• Crickets

Toco toucans sound like toads: grunting, croaking and snoring notes, up to 50 notes per minute.

4. How far did medium-sized seeds drop from the parent plants?

• 2-4 m
• 269-449 m (correct)
• 20-40 m
• 2-4 km

Toco toucans spread seeds far: one study found medium-sized seeds dropped 269-449 m from the parent plants.

5. How do toucans fly when foraging together?

• In a V shape
• In a tight ball
• In pairs
• In single file (correct)

Toco toucans can fly across water over 5 km wide. When foraging together, they fly treetop to treetop in single file.

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