Spot a flash of yellow on its chest and a bill that looks painted by an artist—that"s the keel-billed toucan. A member of the Ramphastidae family, which includes toucan barbets, it is one of more than 40 toucan species. Found from southern Mexico to northern Colombia, it spends much of its day plucking fruit with a rainbow-colored bill about one-third of its total length. It also eats insects, eggs, and small reptiles when available. The bill not only helps it eat but also keeps the toucan cool by radiating excess heat—thanks to the blood vessels running through it. This social bird often moves in small groups, chattering and gliding between treetops. With each wing measuring 7–8 inches, the keel-billed toucan molts, or sheds its feathers, just once a year.
A keel-billed toucan in Costa Rica
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Walking among the giants
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Castle ruins on the island of Halki, Greece
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Pearl of the Adriatic
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The moth wonderful time of the year
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Cousins Day
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Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
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Space-age style by the sea
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Have fun storming the castle
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National Blueberry Day
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Lobster tales
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The Children’s Cultural Festival in Reykjavik begins today
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
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Château de Villandry, France
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Vote!
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May we have this dance?
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Swimming into the season
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Bournemouth beach huts
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Point Reyes National Seashore in California
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Crescent-tail bigeye fish, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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A unique elephant encounter in Nantes
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Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
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Flock together for Cousins Day
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Reflections of the night sky
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Silvereyes in South Korea
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Victory in Europe, 75 years ago
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Take a hike near Lovers Lane
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Winter Olympics in Beijing
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Happy Juneteenth!
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Valentines Day