The Keel Billed Toucan

Do you know? The Keel Billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize? It was so adopted by George Price, the then Prime Minister of Belize, marking Belize`s independence on September 21st 1981. Why he adopted this bird, I have yet to discover. If any visitor to this site can fill me in, I will give you the honours and put your name right here............

One of the most remarkable features of the Keel Billed Toucan is it`s large beak which looks too large and appears very heavy for it`s body, but in reality the beak is remarkably light! The surface is structured like the slates on a roof and are made of keratin, the same substance that our finger nails and hair are made of.

Inside the beak it is hollow is some parts, while other parts are filled with a hard mesh structure which makes it light but strong. The toucan doesn`t seem to have a problem using it as a tool. In fact, it serves as an advantage over other birds because the toucan can sit in one place and just by reaching and picking, can eat a large amount of fruit, it`s main diet. He can also reach down into hollows while searching for food.

Where is the best place that will give you the best opportunity of seeing this magnificent bird? In lowland forests and on the forest edges. In the jungles at Blue Creek, Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, as well as many other reserves I have not mentioned.

Their call sounds to me like krek krek krek, or the sound of castanets speeded up. Each bird has a different pitch

They like to nest in groups in the hollow of trees, which make conditions rather cramped, but the toucan knows instinctively what to do with his large bill when it`s time to bed down for the night. He swings it onto the back of his neck, and takes his tail as if fulling the bed clothes over his head and falls fast asleep.