The bright colours, spectacular bill and perky appearance of the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) catch the eye, making it a favourite icon for many advertising campaigns. However, in the forest it blends with its surroundings, its black and white body lost in the shadows and its gaudy bill easily mistaken for a flower or fruit. When sleeping it is even less conspicuous: turning its head to rest its bill along its back and folding its long tail up and over to cover the bill it becomes a mere bundle of feathers. The bill is a honeycomb construction which means that it is light and of no use as a weapon. It helps the bird reach for fruit at the tip of branches and is also used to chip into wood and probe about in mud as the toucan searches for insects to eat. It will sometimes also eat lizards, young birds and eggs. The toucan has a loud and insistent call and in some tribal traditions is associated with evil.
