A Symbol of the Rainforest: Keel-Billed Toucans

Credits: Laura Wolf

If you're planning a visit to Monteverde, Costa Rica, one of the most exciting wildlife experiences you’ll have is spotting the iconic Keel-billed Toucan in the cloud forest. Known for its vibrant plumage and signature bill/beak, this bird is a true highlight for any nature enthusiast. Whether you’re staying in a hotel in Monteverde, enjoying a night tour, or embarking on a bird watching excursion, spotting the Keel-billed Toucan is something you don't want to miss.

Here are the top 5 most interesting things about the Keel-billed Toucan in Monteverde that you won’t want to miss during your trip.

1. Loud and Chatty Creatures 

• The Keel-billed Toucan is famous for its loud and distinctive calls that can be heard echoing through the cloud forests of Monteverde. If you’re staying in a hotel near the cloud forest, you might hear their raucous vocalizations early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Their calls are often described as having a froglike sound to them, however there's many different combinations of sounds they're able produce out of their colorful bills. Such diversity of calls are used to communicate with others of their species, especially during mating season.

2. Mating Rites and Colorful Bills

• The Keel-billed Toucan’s bill isn’t just for feeding; it plays an important role in social interactions. Its bright colors help attract mates and are used in displays during social encounters. While the large bill may look cumbersome, it is perfect for reaching fruit on tree branches and is very light weight since it's made up of a hollow and spongy keratin covered bone, usually measuring from 5 to 6 inches in length, which is 4 times the size of their head and usually the same size as the rest of their body. The elongated shape comes in handy (beaky?) when they search for food in tight crevices, such as stealing eggs or insects hidden in between hollow trees. During the breeding season, males perform impressive courtship displays using their vibrant, oversized bills. These displays are a way to impress females and show off their health and vitality. As a form of courtship the bill is also used to pass food on to a potential mate, and just like us human beings they enjoy "kissing" by tapping their bills together. Another interesting functionality of this colorful body part is that of a heat regulation system, and one may believe the size of this thing gives them a great sense of smell, but it's actually the complete opposite. And If you ever get the chance to see a toucan's tongue you will notice how it resembles something like a spiky feather, it might look weird at first, but it's a very functional body part when it comes to gripping slippery fruits high up in the canopy. Once they have found their mate and proceed to reproduce, an interesting fact is how both parents take turns to incubate their eggs for a period of 15 to 20 days, usually their nests are tightly snuggled into already existing tree cavities, containing from 2 to 4 eggs.
  

3. Lovers of the Cloud Forest 

• The Keel-billed Toucan thrives in the upper canopy of the cloud forest, where it can feast on the abundant fruit. This makes it one of the most iconic birds to look out for during a Costa Rican night tour. In this habitat they usually feed off from fruits, insects, and small reptiles. However they are also known for their obnoxious behavior as vicious predators and nest raiders, working in teams to distract the parents as other toucans go for the nest. Their daring attitude and impressive physique is feared by other animals to the extent that they have practically no predators as they reach an adult age. As inhabitants of the canopy you will often see them flying short distances from one tree to another, however their bodies aren't fit for long distance flight. However when it comes to their own kind they tend to be very playful and social with each other, often living in groups (called rafters) of 6 to 12 toucans.
  

4. Conservation Importance

• Keel-billed Toucans are essential to the cloud forest’s conservation efforts. They help maintain the biodiversity of the region through seed dispersal. By staying at our Monteverde eco lodge, you’ll be supporting conservation efforts that protect not only the Keel-billed Toucan, but also the entire ecosystem. In Valle Escondido, we offer educational tours about how the toucans and other wildlife contribute to forest health, while protecting and planting more of the plant and tree species that provide these birds with shelter, food and an all round healthy habitat.

5. "Making" Treehouses 

• Instead of building nests, Keel-billed Toucans normally use natural tree cavities in which to lay their eggs, these cavities can be found in decaying trees throughout the cloud forest. But they've also been spotted kicking woodpeckers out of their hard earned homes and moving in afterwards. If you’re on a bird watching tour, ask your guide to point out potential nesting sites during a hike. It’s a great way to learn more about their breeding behavior and how they fit into the forest’s intricate ecosystem.

Conclusion: A Must-See for Nature Lovers in Monteverde

The Keel-billed Toucan is one of the most fascinating birds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and it’s a species that should be on every birdwatcher’s bucket list. From their bright and colorful bill to their important role in the forest’s ecology, the Keel-billed Toucan embodies the natural beauty of Monteverde. 

Looking for a place to stay in Monteverde? Valle Escondido offers a comfortable stay along with access to a 17 hectare nature reserve where you can see these amazing birds. Book your stay now and embark on the adventure of a lifetime!