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Keel-billed toucan
Big in the beak
It's also fittingly known as the rainbow-billed toucan, but this rainforest flyer's common name is the keel-billed toucan, probably because its big curving beak resembles the bladelike underside of a boat. They may look a little clumsy, but these toucans wield their bills with skill. As social birds that love to compete as well as cooperate, they use their bills to toss fruit to feathered friends in an acrobatic game of catch, or to challenge the same compatriots in beak duels that resemble sword fighting. There's no fear of broken noses here, though – toucans' bills are made of keratin, the same sturdy protein found in horse hooves, rhino horns and your own fingernails.
Big in the beak
It's also fittingly known as the rainbow-billed toucan, but this rainforest flyer's common name is the keel-billed toucan, probably because its big curving beak resembles the bladelike underside of a boat. They may look a little clumsy, but these toucans wield their bills with skill. As social birds that love to compete as well as cooperate, they use their bills to toss fruit to feathered friends in an acrobatic game of catch, or to challenge the same compatriots in beak duels that resemble sword fighting. There's no fear of broken noses here, though – toucans' bills are made of keratin, the same sturdy protein found in horse hooves, rhino horns and your own fingernails.
Your fingernails are made of the same stuff as this toucan's bill. Do you wish they were as colourful?
© J Uriarte / 500px / Getty Images 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :