The Northern Emerald Toucanet, a small species of toucan, is the latest addition to our Birdorable collection. This charming bird is a vibrant splash of color in the mountain forests where it resides, stretching across parts of Mexico and Central America.

Despite their small stature, Northern Emerald Toucanets are easily identifiable thanks to their striking appearance. Both males and females share a similar look, characterized by a vivid green body plumage that beautifully blends with their lush forest habitat. Adding to their distinctive appearance is their relatively large bill, a beautiful combination of yellow and black, which is not only a visual highlight but also an essential tool for their diet and lifestyle.

These toucans are known for their versatility in feeding. They use their uniquely shaped bills to pluck and eat a variety of fruits, which forms a major part of their diet. However, they are not strict vegetarians; their diet also includes insects, small reptiles, and bird eggs, making them opportunistic feeders.

The Northern Emerald Toucanet's habitat in mountain forests is crucial for their survival, as it provides both food and shelter. These birds are often found in higher altitude regions, where they thrive in the cooler, moist environments of the cloud forests.

Find our Northern Emerald Toucanet on a variety of apparel and gift options on Amazon, including this Birdorable Northern Emerald Toucanet Pullover Hoodie.

Tomorrow's new Birdorable is a species in the Psittacidae family. It is named for the color of its head, and lives in the Amazon basin. Do you know the species?

There are about forty different species of toucan, spread over five genera. These include toucans and their smaller cousins, aracaris and toucanets. Here are some fun facts about the toucan family.

• All toucans have colorful and extremely large bills. Despite their size, the bills are composed of a kind of spongy material, and are extremely lightweight.
• Having a large bill is beneficial in foraging for fruit -- the bird can grab a lot of food without moving its whole body. The oversized bill also helps the toucan regulate its body heat in the steamy rainforest.
• Toucans are cavity nesters, but they aren't able to excavate their own nest holes with much success. They use cavities excavated by other birds, like woodpeckers.
• The smallest birds in the family range from about 11 or 12 inches long (the Green Aracari or the Lettered Aracari).

Green Aracari by Sham Edmond [CC BY 2.0]

• The largest species of toucan is the Toco Toucan, which reaches 29 inches in length.
• Toucans are able to fly, but they have relatively short wings. They are resident birds within their range (they do not migrate), and tend to get around their forest canopy habitat by hopping from branch to branch.
• The Toco Toucan is the most well-known species of toucan; it is sometimes known simply as "Toucan" or "Common Toucan".

Toco Toucan by William Warby [CC BY 2.0]

• The Keel-billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize.
• Toucans are found in the Neotropics, meaning they are New World birds found in tropical habitat. They range from southern Mexico into northern parts of South America. They are also found in the Caribbean.
• The constellation Tucana, a group of stars in the Southern Sky, is named after the toucan. It was established by Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius and was first published in 1598 in Amsterdam.
• We have three birds in the toucan family here. Check out our Birdorable Keel-billed Toucan, Birdorable Green Aracari; and Birdorable Toco Toucan!

With its massive orange-yellow bill, the Toco Toucan is one of the most recognized birds in the world. Here are some interesting facts about the Toco Toucan and its amazing bill.

• The Toco Toucan is the largest species of toucan in the world. There are about 40 species of toucan in total.
• The bill of the Toco Toucan is nearly 8 inches long. Its tongue is not much shorter - that's a long tongue!
• A toucan's bill is largely hollow, with a boney structure similar to that of a sponge. It may look like a formidable weapon, but its use as a defensive aid is more psychological (intimidation) than physical.
• Up to 50% of a Toco Toucan's total body surface area can be found in its bill.
• Toco Toucans use their massive bills to skin fruit and to grab hard-to-reach food items.
• Toucan bills may help the birds regulate heat; the large surface area of the bill radiates heat away from the bird's body in their warm tropical environment.
• A Toco Toucan can live up to 20 years in the wild.
• Toco Toucans are cavity nesters. Can you imagine this amazing bird using its bill to hollow out a tree cavity for its nest?

If you can't get enough of Toco Toucans, be sure to check out Birdorable's selection of Toco Toucan t-shirts and gifts!

Dive into the vibrant world of the tropics with our Birdorable Colorful Toucan design, a dazzling homage to one of the most iconic birds of the rainforest, the Toco Toucan. This striking design captures the essence of the toucan's playful spirit and its remarkable color palette, bringing a touch of exotic flair to your everyday life.

Toucans are known for their large, colorful bills, which are not just visually stunning but also serve practical purposes. These remarkable beaks help toucans in feeding by reaching fruit on branches too small to support their weight and play a crucial role in their social interactions. 

Whether you're a bird lover, a conservationist, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, this design speaks to the heart. It's perfect for adding a splash of color to your wardrobe, brightening up your home décor, or finding that special, meaningful gift for a friend or family member who shares your passion for birds and the environment.

Are you following Birdchick's adventures in Panama? She's currently birding at the fabulous Canopy Lodge ("I have died and gone to birder heaven") and she's practically live-blogging as she goes. So far she's seen an amazing variety of tropical birds, including Great Potoo, Red-capped Mannikin (the moonwalking bird) and even Keel-billed Toucans! If you want to follow Birdchick's tropical birding fun, check out her blog and follow her on Twitter.

Today's addition in our Birdorable Bonanza is the Green Aracari, which lives in northeastern South America. It is one of the smallest toucans. These birds spend most of their lives in the highest trees of the forest. They don't come down very often, not even to drink or bathe which they do with rain water that collects in tree forks and leaves. This is our totally cute Birdorable Green Aracari!

Photo by Eric F Savage (Source: Flickr)

And here's a sneak peek at tomorrow's bird in the Birdorable Bonanza. Until the 31st of July we'll be adding a new bird every day until we reach #200 at the end of this month.

Ah, the Keel-billed Toucan, one of nature's most spectacular birds, is all dressed up and ready to spread some holiday cheer! Our Birdorable version of this magnificent bird dons a festive Santa hat.

The Keel-billed Toucan, with its oversized, colorful bill, is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. This striking feature isn't just a fashion statement; it plays a vital role in the toucan's daily activities, from feeding on a variety of fruits to jousting with fellow toucans. And while they may appear to be heavy, these bills are surprisingly light, thanks to their hollow structure.

What makes toucans the perfect subject for a holiday-themed design? Perhaps it's the vivid contrast of colors that reminds us of the twinkling lights and decorations of the season. Or maybe it's their playful nature that captures the fun and joy of the holidays. Toucans are social birds, often spotted in groups, and their vocal calls can be heard echoing through the forests they call home. They embody a sense of community and celebration, which resonates so well with the spirit of Christmas.

For those looking to bring a touch of wildlife into their holiday festivities, this Keel-billed Toucan in a Santa hat makes for a perfect gift. It's an ideal way to show your love for birds while staying festive. So whether you're a birdwatcher, a proud pet owner, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, this design is sure to bring smiles and a bit of tropical flair to your winter wardrobe.