Toucan 30cm - Soft Toy

Physical Characteristics
The Toucan's oversized, colorful bill has made it one of the world's most popular birds. Both male and female toucans possess the 7.5-inch-long (19-centimeter-long) bill. As a weapon, the bill is a bit more show than substance. It is a honeycomb of bone that actually contains a lot of air. While its size may deter predators, it is of little use in combating them.

Habitat
The Toucan is at home in South America's tropical forests, but recognized everywhere.

Behaviour
Toucans live in small flocks of about six birds. Their bright colors actually provide good camouflage in the dappled light of the rain forest canopy. However, the birds commonly keep up a racket of vocalization, which suggests that they are not trying to remain hidden.

Breeding
Toucans nest in tree holes. They usually have two to four eggs each year, which both parents care for. Young toucans do not have a large bill at birth-it grows as they develop and does not become full size for several months.

Diet
The toucan's bill is useful as a feeding tool. The birds use their beaks to reach fruit on branches that are too small to support their weight, and also to skin their pickings. In addition to fruit, toucans eat insects and, sometimes, young birds, eggs, or lizards.

Strange and Interesting Facts
An iconic bird, Toucans are very popular as pets, and many are captured to supply demand for this trade. Currently very much in favour with toddlers due to CBeebies programme '3rd and Bird' which features a Toucan - Mr. Beakmann, as one of the central animated characters.