Head to head
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan vs Keel-billed Toucan
The chestnut-mandibled toucan and keel-billed toucan are close relatives that often share the same Central American forest, distinguished mainly by their very different bill colouring.
| Chestnut-mandibled Toucan | Keel-billed Toucan | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ramphastos ambiguus | Ramphastos sulfuratus |
| Bill colour | Black with chestnut-brown lower half | Rainbow-coloured |
| Relative size | One of the largest toucans in the world | Large |
| Notable bill trait | Distinctive two-toned colouring | Acts as a heat radiator |
| Native range | Central America to northern South America | Central America |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Rainforest, forest | Rainforest, forest |
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan vs Keel-billed Toucan: common questions
How can you tell a chestnut-mandibled toucan from a keel-billed toucan?
The bill colour gives it away immediately: the chestnut-mandibled toucan has a mostly dark bill with a chestnut-brown lower half, while the keel-billed toucan has a strikingly rainbow-coloured bill unlike any other toucan.
Why does the keel-billed toucan's bill work as a radiator?
This species' huge, nearly weightless bill is richly supplied with blood vessels that let it shed excess body heat, a cooling function not specifically documented as being as pronounced in the chestnut-mandibled toucan.
Are the chestnut-mandibled toucan and keel-billed toucan closely related?
Yes, both belong to the same genus, Ramphastos, and often share the same Central American forest habitat, despite their very different bill colouring and the chestnut-mandibled toucan's larger overall size.