In any battle of the beaks, this bird would be at the top of the bill. The toco toucan has the biggest beaIn any battle of the beaks, this bird would be at the top of the bill. The toco toucan has the biggest beak, relative to the size of its body, of any bird. Although it may look unwieldy, it's used with skill and ease: Plucking fruit from trees and expertly peeling it, grooming feathers, building nests, and defending against threats. The beak's bold display of colors may also serve as a warning to predators. Because it's made of a thin, mostly hollow keratin sheath, the beak isn't heavy. A network of blood vessels just below the surface serves to dissipate body heat. That's a useful adaptation when your home range is a tropical region like South America's Pantanal ... See more See less
