Swainson’s Toucan;

    Chestnut Mandible Toucan

       Ramphastos Swainsonii

        Family: Ramphastidae

Swainson’s Toucans are the second largest of the 37 species of toucans.  They are just a little smaller than a Toco Toucan.  These colorful 20-24 inch birds are noted for their huge, hollow yellow and chestnut beaks, bright yellow bibs edged in red, white rumps with red under-tails, green rings around their brown eyes and blue feet.  Their distinctive hollow beak can grow up to eight inches long, is much lighter than it looks and slightly translucent.  A narrow bristly tongue reaches the tip of their bill and resembles a feather.  The beak's serrated edges help the toucans hold fruit/food at the tip, which then is thrown into their throat with an upward toss of the head.  The long beak helps to pluck fruits that are on branches too thin to hold their weight, as they reach far out from their perch on thicker branches.  They have two toes forward and two in back for more secure perching and when they sleep their tails stick straight up!  Their bodies are heavy but they have strong legs which make them much better hoppers than flyers.

They are native to the neotropical forests of Central America, and range from Honduras south to Colombia.  Visitors to Costa Rica will frequently see this species in areas inhabited by humans.  Socially they prefer being solitary or in small groups rather than large flocks.

They are fairly common in the wild where they eat fruits from nearly 100 species of plants and trees.  During their nesting period they will also consume insects and lizards for protein.  Their nest of choice is a naturally hollowed palm tree where they will dig a deep nesting hole to lay 3-4 white ellipsoid eggs.  They take turns incubating the eggs for 16 days.   When the chicks hatch they are featherless and blind but they will fledge in about seven weeks.  Toucans are friendly, playful, intelligent and curious about their surroundings