The
toco toucan (
Ramphastos toco) is a species of bird in the family Ramphastidae, the
toucan. It is the largest species of toucan and has a distinctive appearance, with a black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail
coverts, and red undertail coverts. Its most conspicuous feature is its huge beak, which is yellow-orange with a black base and a large spot on the tip. It is endemic to South America, where it has a wide distribution from the Guianas south to northern Argentina and Uruguay, and its range has recently been expanding southwards. Unlike other toucans, which inhabit continuous forests, the toco toucan inhabits a variety of semi-open habitats at altitudes of up to 1,750 metres (5,740 ft). It feeds mainly on fleshy fruits, but can also supplement its diet with insects, eggs, and the nestlings of other birds. This toco toucan was photographed near
Poconé in the Brazilian state of
Mato Grosso.
Photograph credit: Bernard Dupont