The Keel-Billed Toucan
Meet the Keel-Billed Toucan in Costa Rica: The Bird with the Rainbow Beak
If there’s one bird that captures the spirit of Costa Rica’s rainforests, it’s the Keel-Billed Toucan. With its bright yellow chest, sleek black body, and a multicolored bill that looks like it was painted by hand, the toucan is instantly recognizable. It’s often spotted perched high in the canopy or hopping between branches in small, chatty groups.
The Keel-Billed Toucan is known locally as the tucán pico iris, meaning “rainbow-billed toucan.” Their calls sound like a mix between a frog’s croak and a frog’s bark, and you’ll often hear them long before you see them. Seeing one up close is always a highlight for travelers exploring Costa Rica’s cloud forests and tropical lowlands.
Key Facts
Size: 42 to 55 cm (16 to 22 inches)
Weight: 380 to 500 grams (13 to 18 ounces)
Lifespan: Up to 20 years in the wild
Diet: Fruit, insects, lizards, and small eggs
Activity: Diurnal and social, often found in small flocks
Interesting Facts About Keel-Billed Toucans
The Keel-Billed Toucan’s large, colorful bill may look heavy, but it’s actually light and hollow. It helps the bird reach fruit at the tips of branches and even regulate body temperature in the warm tropical climate.
They are social and intelligent birds that often travel in small groups of six to twelve individuals. You’ll see them playing, feeding, and hopping through the canopy together. Their playful nature and bold colors make them one of the most photographed birds in Costa Rica.
Despite their bright appearance, toucans are excellent at blending into the dappled light of the forest canopy. Their dark feathers and quiet movements help them stay hidden between flashes of green and yellow leaves.
They are also important for the ecosystem because they spread seeds throughout the forest. Every fruit they eat helps grow new trees and plants, supporting the rainforest’s natural cycle.
Habitat and Behavior
Keel-Billed Toucans live in tropical and subtropical forests, including both lowland and highland areas. They can be found from the Caribbean coast to the central mountains and occasionally in Pacific forests.
They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, often perched in treetops making their croaking calls. Their flight is short and undulating, moving between trees in quick bursts. They nest in tree cavities and often reuse old woodpecker holes.
Because they are both colorful and vocal, toucans are a favorite for birdwatchers, photographers, and families exploring Costa Rica’s nature reserves.
Where to See Keel-Billed Toucans in Costa Rica
These toucans are found across the country, especially in humid regions with plenty of fruiting trees. Some of the best tours to spot them include:
Sarapiquí: Jungle Safari Float, where toucans are often seen in the treetops alongside parrots and motmots
Tortuguero National Park Tour, a peaceful experience for forest walks with a high chance of seeing toucans and herons
Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk, a family-friendly adventure where toucans often perch near canopy-level bridges, giving visitors an amazing view for photos
Guided tours make it easy to learn about toucan behavior and help you spot them in their natural habitat. If we do not provide the tour ourselves, you will see we have included links to other tour operators that offer sightings. We have personally been on these tours ourselves and enjoyed them! :)
