The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), is an extremely striking bird, most famous for its association with the Guinness brand. Also known as the common toucan or toucan, it is the largest and probably the best known species in the toucan family. It grows to sizes of 1.5 - 2 feet. The most noticable aspect of toco toucans is its large bill. Like all toucans, toco toucans' bills are light-weight because a large portion of the bills are hollow. The bills of tocos are a bright orange - yellow. One possible reason for the bright color is that the bills may resemble fruit high in the canopy. This would be a unique type of camoflauge. Another reason is that it may be a way to attract a mate. Found in semi-open habitats throughout a large part of central and eastern South America, Tocos are not excellent fliers so they often need to walk and hop across branches to get to places where fruit is at. They will then use their long beaks to grab fruit that would otherwise be out of reach to birds with smaller bills.
