It is the largest and best known member of the toucans family, its natural habitat is South America and it is a species that is usually found in zoos around the world.
It has a striking plumage with the black body, white throat and a blue eye ring. The most remarkable feature is, as always, its huge yellow beak with a black spot, which despite looking heavy is incredibly light since its interior is practically hollow. They usually have an average length of 63 centimeters (25 inches), of which the peak occupies about 20cm (8 inches) and reaches a weight greater than 500 grams. They have two fingers forward and two back, so that they can better grip the branches. There is no sexual dimorphism between males and females. The life expectancy of the toucan toucan is between 10 and 15 years.
The breeding season of the Toucan Toco varies by region, although its reproduction cycle is annual. To nest, they look for cavities in trees that often use year after year. They usually lay 2 to 4 eggs, which hatch at 16-20 days. Young are born naked and blind. Its growth is quite slow and initially does not resemble an adult toucan, since its peak takes several months to fully develop. They open their eyes at 3 weeks.
The Toucan Toco feeds mainly on fruit, but occasionally also eats insects, reptiles and eggs of other birds.
This species is located in the humid forests of Eastern South America: Guyana, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil (Sabana de Cerrado) and Northern Argentina (Selva de Misiones). Unlike other species, they prefer somewhat more open spaces, such as savannas and little wooded areas, to the dense jungle.
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