Keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) by Matt Sewell

This toucan is perhaps more aptly known as the rainbow-billed toucan. It is the national bird of Belize. Not all toucans are quite as boldly bright as these guys, whose beaks are a dazzling cocktail of lime, tangerine, lemon and forget-me-not blue, but all are sociable and big-billed. The keel’s bill, at 15cm, is roughly one third of its body length, but it isn’t too ungainly as it’s a hollow bone covered in keratin – the very same material your fingernails are made from. They are playful birds and are known to throw fruit, one bird throwing and another catching it in its mouth! 

Length: 45cm 

Where to find me: southern Mexico to Venezuela and Colombia

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Taken from Matt’s most recent book Atlas of Amazing Birds, published by Pavilion and currently available here in our shop sale for the bargain price of £8.50!