Why is toucan’s bill so incredibly large?

It has always been a mystery as to why the toucan has such an enormous beak. Now researches published their research in the journal Science – they believe that the toucan uses its large beak to stay cool. Using infrared cameras, they showed the bird “dumping the heat from its body into its bill, helping it to regulate its body temperature”.

Toucan’s beak takes up 1/3 of its body length – the largest amongst birds.

Read the rest of the article or learn more about toucans.

Toucan, the largest-billed bird

Source: Rebecca Morelle . “Hot secret behind toucan’s bill” BBC News Jul. 2009
Photo: Jon Hanson