Ramphastos sulfuratus
keel-billed toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus occurs from South Mexico to North Colombia and Northeast Venezuela (Kricher 1989).

Ramphastos sulfuratus lives in lowland forests and on forest borders (Kricher, 1989; Belize, 2000).

Ramphastos sulfuratus is a large (about 20 inches or 52 cm long) colorful bird, and has a bill that can grow to be up to one third the size of its body (Enchantedlearning, 1999). The large banana-shaped bill is the most distinguishing feature of R. sulferatus, and is surprisingly lightweight for its size (Kricher, 1989). The light weight of the keratin-composed bill is due to its hollow, bone-reinforced construction (Kricher, 1989; Enchantedlearning, 1999; Thurman, 1999). The bill is edged with tooth-like ridges. Housed within the bill is a long, narrow, feather-like tongue. The body of R. sulfuratus is black, and it has a bright yellow bib and cheeks. Its rump is white, and the undertail coverts are a brilliant red. The area directly around the eyes is bare, showing the pale blue skin underneath. Its bill, which takes up the entire front of its head, is green, with a bright orange blaze on the side, red on the tip of the upper mandible, and blue on the tip of the lower mandible. Males and females share the same coloration and large bill, the only difference being that the male is slightly larger than the female. Ramphastos sulfuratus has blue legs and its toes are arranged in the zygodactyl pattern (with two toes forward and two toes back)(Kricher, 1989; Greer, 1993; Beletsky, 1998). Its tail is long and square-shaped, and its wings are wide and short to enable flight through trees (Beletsky, 1998).

Ramphastos sulfuratus is one of the larger species of toucans, weighing about 400 grams. There are several species of toucan, distinguished mainly by beak size, body size and body coloring. The behavioral characteristics of all toucan species are largely similar (Emerald Forest).

Ramphastos sulfuratus travels in flocks of 6 to 12 adults. The flocks roost in holes of tree trunks, sometimes with several birds crowding into one hole. Since the tree cavities aren't always very roomy, the species must conserve space. It does so by folding its tail up over its back and tucking its beak beneath its wing when it roosts. Ramphastos sulfuratus is a social feeder as well. The flocks travel together from tree to tree in loose strings of birds (Kricher, 1989; Beletsky, 1998; Belize, 2000; Greer, 1993).

In flight, the Keel-billed Toucan displays a period of rapid flapping and then a glide. It cannot travel long distances, and it is much more agile when hopping around from branch to branch in the trees. Its call is a "creek, creek", which sounds similar to the croak of a treefrog (Kricher, 1989; Beletsky, 1998; Belize, 2000).

The diet of R. sulfuratus consists primarily of fruit, but it will also consume the eggs or fledglings of other birds, insects, small lizards and tree frogs. By eating these non-fruit items, R. sulfuratus increases its protein intake. This toucan travels in flocks of 6 to 12, eating fruit as it goes. Eating the fruit whole by snapping its head back and gulping down, R. sulfuratus can regurgitate large seeds unharmed. Small seeds are passed through the bird's digestive tract, also unharmed. In this way, the seeds are dispersed far from the parent plant. Although the function of the bill of R. sulfuratus is not fully understood, it does make a very good tool for plucking fruit off branches that are too small to bear the weight of the bird (Kricher, 1987; Remsen, 1993; Beletsky, 1998; Enchantedlearning, 1999).

Ramphastos sulfuratus is spotted feeding mainly in high canopy, and will only fly down occasionally to feed on shrubs or to snatch a reptilian food item from the forest floor (Beletsky, 1998).

The Chestnut-mandibled Toucan may sometimes 'parasitize' R. sulfuratus by following R. sulfuratus to a fruit-filled tree, and then chasing the smaller bird (R. sulfuratus) away (Beletsky, 1998).

The Keel-billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize. It is responsible for bringing in much of the tourism there (Belize, 2000; Greer, 1993).

Humans have, as mentioned above, hunted R. sulfuratus for meat, and sport (keeping the feathers as ornamentation). They have also captured this species for the pet market (Beletsky, 1998).

Also, 'Toucan Sam', the cartoon used to advertise Fruit Loops cereal is sometimes identified (incorrectly) as a Keel-billed (Emerald Forest).

Ramphastos sulfuratus is not immediately threatened, but it is CITES listed, because it is considered to be a look-alike of threatened species, and therefore needs to be monitored. The species is a common resident in areas where it occurs (its range), except where there is heavy deforestation. There are some areas where R. sulfuratus is locally scarce due to hunting (to eat or/and for ornaments). Toucan feathers have been used as ornaments for a long time (Beletsky, 1998).

Ramphastos sulfuratus, like many other species of toucan, is a popular pet, due to its brightly colored bill and its intelligence. At one time, animals were taken from the wild and kept as pets. Now, there are organizations, which specialize in hand-rearing R. sulfuratus for the pet market (or parent-rearing for use in other breeding programs), so this factor does not have as great effect on the conservation status as in the past (Beletsky, 1998; Emerald Forest).

In some areas of Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, R. sulfuratus is allowed to fly loose around people's homes, free to come and go as it pleases (Emerald Forest).