Toucan (Keel-billed Toucan)

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Keel-billed Toucan

Zoo Tek Phoenix

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Author: Genki

Keywords: real birds

Date Released: Oct 24 2009

Current gcKeelBilledToucan.ztd dated 13 September 2009

File Size: 150.35k

Compatibility: All Game Versions

Description: The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), also known as Sulfur-breasted Toucan or Rainbow-billed Toucan, is a colorful South American bird with a large bill. It is the national bird of Belize.

Including its bill, the Keel-billed Toucans ranges in length from around 17 to 22 inches (42-55 cm). Their large and colorful bill averages around 5-6 in (12-15 cm), about one-third of its length. While the bill seems large and cumbersome, it is in fact a spongy, hollow bone covered in keratin, a very light and hard protein.

The plumage of the Keel-billed Toucan is mainly black with a yellow neck and chest. Molting occurs once per year. It has blue feet and red feathers at the tip of its tail. The bill is mainly green with a red tip and orange sides.

Distribution and ecology

The Keel-billed Toucan can be found from Southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia. It roosts in the canopies of tropical, subtropical, and lowland rainforests, up to altitudes of 1,900 m. It roosts in holes in trees, often with several other toucans. This can be very cramped, so the birds tuck their tails and beaks under their bodies to conserve space while sleeping. Adding to the lack of space, the bottoms of the holes are often covered with pits from the fruit the toucans have eaten.

Like many toucans, Keel-billed is a very social bird, rarely seen alone. It travels in small flocks of approximately six to twelve individuals through lowland rainforests; it is a poor flyer, and moves mostly by hopping through trees. It has a family structure within the group. Birds will often "duel" with each other using their bills, and throw fruit into each other's mouths. Keel-billed Toucans live together in these groups, often sharing cramped living quarters of holes in trees. Able to utiliuze human-altered habitat to some extent, this widespread bird is considered to be a Species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Food and Feeding

The diet of Keel-billed Toucans consists mostly of a wide range of fruit, but may also include small birds, eggs, insects and reptiles. The bill, surprisingly dexterous, allows this toucan to utilize a large variety of fruit that might not otherwise be reached. When eating the fruit,it uses its bill to dissect the fruit, and then tosses its head back to swallow the fruit whole.

Breeding

The female Keel-billed Toucan will usually bury a clutch of two to four (rarely one) white eggs. The male and female share in the caring of the eggs, both taking turns incubating. The eggs hatch approximately 15-20 days after being laid. After hatching, the male and female again take turns feeding the chicks. When the chicks hatch, they have no feathers, and have their eyes closed for approximately 2 months. The chicks have adequately formed heel pads, which assist on the pit-covered bottom of the nest. The chicks stay in their nest for approximately eight to nine months while their bills develop fully and they become ready to dig.

Aviculture

The Keel-billed Toucan is sometimes kept in captivity, but has a high fruit diet and is sensitive to hemochromatosis (an iron storage disease).

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Additional info:

gcKeelBilledToucan.ztd              uca: D6771026 dated 13 September 2009

Results From Configuration Checking:

D6771026.uca date: Sun Sep 13 15:40:34 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: D6771026

Keel-billed Toucan


Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Rainforest; Location: South America
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 90.
Animal can swim in water terrain.
Animal can climb cliffs.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Ulmo Tree, Llala Palm Tree, Rainforest Fern, Kapok Tree
Thouarsus Cycad Tree (DD), Fern Bush (DD), Leptocycas Tree (DD)
Williamsonia Tree (DD), Fallen Rainforest Tree (ES), Rainforest Stump (ES)
Rafflesia (ES), Giant Ficus Tree (ES), Durian Tree (ES)

Rocks:
Stone Ruins, Rainforest Rock - Formation, Small Ocean Floor Rock (MM)
Mossy Rainforest Rock (ES), Limestone Rock (ES)

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 2-20 with 5 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 2 adults): 10 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 10 grid squares):
5 Rainforest Floor, 1 Savannah Grass, 1 Sand, 1 Dirt, 1 Grass, 1 Fresh Water

Foliage (for exhibit with 10 grid squares):
2 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Llala Palm Tree
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 2 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 10 grid squares):
1 Small Ocean Floor Rock (MM), which is its most liked rock.