"Keel-Billed Toucans: Vibrant Icons of the Rainforest"

**Keel-Billed Toucan (*Ramphastos sulfuratus*)**

- **Appearance:** The keel-billed toucan is renowned for its strikingly colorful beak, which is predominantly green with a bright red patch near the tip and a touch of blue. Its feathers are primarily black with a vibrant yellow chest and a distinctive orange eye-ring. The beak, which can be about 7.5 to 8 inches long, is surprisingly lightweight due to its honeycomb structure, despite its large size.

- **Habitat:** This toucan species is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, including parts of southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. It prefers the lower to middle canopy layers of tropical and subtropical forests.

- **Diet:** The keel-billed toucan is primarily frugivorous, meaning its diet mainly consists of fruits. It also eats insects, small reptiles, and occasionally bird eggs. Its large beak allows it to reach fruits that are otherwise inaccessible to many other birds.

- **Behavior:** These toucans are known for their playful and social behavior. They often form small groups and are seen engaging in cooperative feeding and grooming. Their calls are distinctive, with a series of deep, croaking sounds that can carry over long distances.

- **Reproduction:** During the breeding season, keel-billed toucans lay 2 to 4 eggs in a hollowed-out tree cavity. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks once they hatch. The young toucans remain in the nest for about 6 to 8 weeks before they fledge.

- **Conservation Status:** The keel-billed toucan is currently classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. While it faces threats from habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade, it is relatively adaptable and has a large, stable population across its range.

This toucan’s vibrant colors and unique appearance make it a favorite among bird enthusiasts and an iconic symbol of Central American wildlife.