The Toucan is one of the most iconic and recognizable animals in the entire world, and travelers from around the globe visit Costa Rica to see them, alongside other iconic Costa Rican creatures like sloths, howler monkeys, the scarlet macaw, the red-eyed tree frog, and many others!
But what some visitors don’t know is that Costa Rica is home to six different species of Toucan, which are found in various locations across the country, and each has their own size, shape, colors, behaviors, and personalities.
In this article, we’ll focus on the three species found all around us in the Arenal Rainforest, the Keel-Billed Toucan, the Chestnut-Billed Toucan, and the Collared Aracari. We’ll discuss their fascinating personalities, adaptations, and social habits, as well as where to find them if you come to visit us in Arenal!
Toucans are omnivorous birds that thrive in hot climates, particularly in dense tropical forests at low elevations where they have access to plenty of food. Toucans are far more comfortable perching on tree branches than they are flying, and typically choose to hop or glide as they move, rather than spend extended time in the air, which makes these rich, dense forests an ideal habitat.
A few decades ago, with deforestation sweeping across Costa Rica and many other Central American countries, all six species of Toucan found here were under severe threat due to habitat loss and dwindling food supplies. But with the conservation policies of the past half-century, these beautiful birds have begun to make a comeback.
We can see this on a smaller scale right here around the Nayara properties in Arenal. Much of the land around Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and Nayara Tented Camp had been turned to pastureland in the late 1900s, forcing the toucans elsewhere.
But now, with dedicated reforestation efforts that have been naturally accelerated by the rich volcanic soil, a perfect climate for tree growth, and a rich ecosystem of pollinators, you can encounter toucans happily perched in the trees around all three resorts.
The most noticeable feature of all Toucans is their distinctive beak, which can be up to four times the size of their head, but that’s not the only thing that sets these fascinating birds apart.
Toucans are known for their strong family and social structures, often traveling in groups of between 6 and 20+ individuals and even engaging in playful behaviors like tossing fruit back and forth in a game of ‘catch.’
Toucan parents are attentive, mating monogamously and raising the chicks until they’re capable of fending for themselves, which can take a while due to Toucans’ comparatively awkward movements, which continue through adulthood.
Oftentimes, Toucans are portrayed as elegant and majestic, due to their vibrant colors, but the reality is that within the bird world, toucans are rather loud, clumsy, hungry, and confrontational. For those of us who know these birds well, those traits add an endearing goofiness to their behavior.
Toucans are all around us in the rainforest, so you can encounter them on almost any tour or experience you set out on with us. You can even encounter Toucans simply walking around your resort, and they’ve been known to perch right outside of the windows of our tents, rooms, and residences.
Toucans can be encountered perched in the trees during the day or slumbering in groups, hiding from predators at night. Typically toucans are most active during dawn and dusk, so going for a walk or tour in the early morning or just before sunset can be an excellent time to spot these birds in their natural habitats.
Unlike many of the species we welcome to the Arenal Rainforests, toucans don’t migrate, making them year-round residents and neighbors. As a result, you can see them any time of year!
The reason for the size and shape of the Toucan’s bill is relatively apparent — it gives the toucan the ability to reach food far out on branches or deep in tree cavities, and the beak’s serrated edges give them the versatility to eat everything from fruits, nuts, and seeds to other birds’ eggs, insects, and even small reptiles.
However, the reason for the vibrant colors of a toucan bill is less apparent. Some researchers theorize that the brightly-colored beak is used to attract mates or as a deterrent to possible predators (like predatory birds, large snakes, and forest cats). Toucans will often smack their beak against a tree branch when faced by a predator, and the colors might add a visual element to this display.
Whatever the reason, we benefit from the beauty of these brightly-colored beaks!
The Keel-Billed Toucan is one of the most famous and recognizable toucans thanks to its multi-colored bill, which features a blend of just about every color in the rainbow.
Keel-billed toucans are very sociable and can typically be seen grouped together on the branches of the trees. You’ll know that these toucans are in the area thanks to their loud, croaking call, which can be heard from up to half a mile away!
Also known as the yellow-fronted Toucan, the Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan is the largest toucan found in Costa Rica, and has a distinctive two-colored bill that distinguishes it from the rainbow bill of the Keel-Billed Toucan.
With its larger size, the Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan has an even more far-ranging diet than that of its cousins, adding small snakes and even young birds to its favorite foods. You can typically identify that these toucans are in the area thanks to their yelping “yo-YIP!” cry.
Aracaris look a little different than the toucans most are used to. However, they are from the same family and share many traits of their cousins, including their long beaks, their diverse diets, their social nature (traveling in groups of 6 to 15 individuals), and their preference for dense lowland forests.
However, what sets the Collared Aracari apart from other Arenal toucans is its masterful scavenging of fruit. These birds have been spotted stretching out on a single foot, bending entirely backward, and even hanging upside down in pursuit of choice fruits, and if you’re lucky, you might catch them in the act!
The call of the Collared Aracari is also distinctive, combining both high-pitched squeaks and lower rattling calls.
If you come to visit us in the Arenal Rainforest at Nayara Springs, Nayara Gardens, or Nayara Tented Camp, we hope you’ll have a chance to encounter some of our world-famous neighbors. It’s striking to see a family of toucans chattering on the treetops, and if you stop to watch, you’re reminded that animals can have incredible personalities.
At a glance, toucans are majestic, but after getting to know them, you’ll see that they’re also awkward, goofy, and social, with fascinating personalities and squabbles and games that are incredible to watch. There’s always more than meets the eye in the rainforest!