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Toco Toucan.

The Toco Toucan, the largest and best-known toucan species, is at home in South America's tropical forests. Its oversized, colorful bill has made it one of...
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The Toco Toucan, the largest and best-known toucan species, is at home in South America's tropical forests. Its oversized, colorful bill has made it one of the world's most popular birds.
They can weigh nearly two pounds and grow to 25 inches long, with their bill accounting for nearly half of their length.
Both male and female toucans possess large, colorful bills. Their exact purpose isn't clear, though they're believed to play a role in the courthship ritual and in self-defense. As a weapon, however, the bill is more show than substance. It's a lightweight honeycomb of keratin—the same protein that makes up fingernails and horn—supported by thin rods of bone. While its size may deter predators, it is of little use in fighting them. The Toco Toucan can also regulate the flow of blood to its bill, allowing the bird to use it as a way to distribute heat away from its body.
The bill is useful as a feeding tool. The birds use them to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support their weight. And the bill's serrated edges are useful for peeling fruit. In addition to fruit such as figs, oranges, and guavas, they eat insects and eggs and nestlings of young birds.
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Awards

People's Choice in Toucan Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Obstructed View Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Lorzee BenDufeck kurtsnyder gabri Calix1 annetteflottwell mahamilton +27
Absolute Masterpiece
irenehurdle deekaycee charlesdpeters Damsan JayneBug samhumphreys csilla11 +5
Top Choice
cometolifephotography BillW DanielasPhotography MichiganTravelenGirl garys760 MacroSagar marilynjlyon +5
Superb Composition
Lukekat Drosera NaturesBounty JoseDomingues Hitthepenny RobZucho Photozackman
Outstanding Creativity
annmor gabrielejones

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8 Comments |
JayneBug Ultimate
 
JayneBug March 08, 2023
Nice framing.
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal March 09, 2023
Thank you Jayne. 😊
micHELL666
 
micHELL666 March 08, 2023
Hele gave compositie,
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal March 09, 2023
Dank je wel. 😊
ClaritaBethCanlasMiller PRO+
 
ClaritaBethCanlasMiller March 12, 2023
nice
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal March 12, 2023
Thank you. 😊
deekaycee Ultimate
 
deekaycee March 17, 2023
Pretty bird in a pretty setting!
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal March 17, 2023
Thank you, a bit lucky.
kurtsnyder Ultimate
 
kurtsnyder April 06, 2023
Another challenge win!! COngratulations Joop! Kurt😀
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal April 06, 2023
Thanks again. 😊
sophiedv
 
sophiedv April 06, 2023
Congratulations!
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal April 07, 2023
Thank you. 😊 Happy Easter.
rixtportugal
 
rixtportugal April 06, 2023
Zo mooi zoals je hem er op gekregen hebt! Ik begreep de contest niet, dus niks geplaatst.
Joviaal PRO
Joviaal April 07, 2023
Dank je wel. 😊
mcampi Platinum
 
mcampi September 12, 2023
congrats on your challenge win with this wonderful shot…
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