Head to head
Toco Toucan vs Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
The toco toucan and chestnut-mandibled toucan both rank among the largest toucans in the world, though their bills and ranges set them clearly apart.
| Toco Toucan | Chestnut-mandibled Toucan | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ramphastos toco | Ramphastos ambiguus |
| Bill record | Largest bill relative to body size of any bird | Among the largest toucan bills overall |
| Bill colour | Bright orange with black tip | Black with chestnut-brown lower half |
| Native range | Widespread across South America | Central America to northern South America |
| Bill function | Fruit-picking, reach, heat radiator | Fruit-picking, reach, defence |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Rainforest, forest | Rainforest, forest |
Toco Toucan vs Chestnut-mandibled Toucan: common questions
Which toucan has the more remarkable bill, the toco toucan or the chestnut-mandibled toucan?
The toco toucan holds the more extreme record, having the largest bill relative to body size of any bird in the world, while the chestnut-mandibled toucan has one of the largest bills among toucans but does not hold that specific record.
How can you tell a toco toucan from a chestnut-mandibled toucan?
The toco toucan has a bright orange bill with a black tip, while the chestnut-mandibled toucan has a mostly dark bill with a chestnut-brown lower half, a clear colour difference between the two large toucans.
Do the toco toucan and chestnut-mandibled toucan share the same range?
They overlap only in parts of northern South America, since the toco toucan is widespread across South America while the chestnut-mandibled toucan ranges from Central America into the northern part of the continent.