Keel-billed Toucan, Rainbow-billed Toucan (Ramphastos
sulfuratus) is a native of Central America, ranging
from southern Mexico south to northern Colombia and northwestern
Venezuela. It is smaller than the Swainson or Toco toucan weighing
at 400 grams, with a beak length of only five inches. Nevertheless,
it's very colorful beak lends it a clownish appearance, and it
is often referred to (erroneously) as the Fruit Loops bird.
The Keel Bill has enjoyed great popularity as both
a zoo bird and as a pet, because of its colorful bill. It is an
intelligent bird, and easily trained. In Belize, Guatemala and
Costa Rica, people often keep them loose around their homes, where
the birds are free to come and go. Near San Jose, Costa Rica,
there is an outdoor restaurant (Las Orquideas) where Keel Bills
visit the guests in search of handouts from their dinner plates.
First captive breeding 1976; Houston Zoo. CITES
status Appendix II.