Our Birds
FUN FACT
At almost two feet long and weighing one and a half pounds, the Toco Toucan is the largest of more than 40 species in the Toucan family.
One of a number of species of toucans, popular for their enormous, colorful beaks, the Toco Toucan is the only one which is adapted to drier, more open habitats. These include a mosaic of natural forested, agricultural, and successional habitats, including gallery forests, palm groves, open woodlands, secondary forest, savanna and thorn-forest, plantations, and orchards. Toco Toucans use their bills to feed on a variety of fruits and insects, but are also well-known for preying on the eggs and nestlings of other bird species. This toucan nests in hollow trees. While many bird species in tropical South America are threatened by the conversion of natural forests to agriculture, the Toco Toucan is more flexible in its habitat requirements and is not currently of conservation concern.
Habitat
Uses a mosaic of natural forested, agricultural, and successional habitats, including gallery forests, palm groves, open woodlands, secondary forest, savanna and thorn-forest, plantations, and orchards
Diet
Fruits, insects, bird eggs and nestling birds
Status
Least Concern
Breeding
Toco Toucans nest in tree hollows. Both parents incubate a clutch of 2-4 eggs for 17-18 days. They feed nestlings insects at first, then fruit. Young fledge at 43-52 days.
The National Aviary is home to more than 500 birds representing 150 species; some of which live in behind-the-scenes habitats. To enhance our guests’ educational experience, and with regard to individual bird preferences, different species may spend time in various public-facing habitats.