“I [the Lord] know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Psalm 50:11.
There are over 40 species of toucans, ranging from 10 to 24 inches long. They live in Southern Mexico and Central and South America. The special feature of these birds is a huge, brightly colored beak which sets them apart from all other birds. Following are some details of three of them:
The Sulfur-Breasted Toucan
This one, with a beak longer than its body, has a yellowish-tan breast. This blends nicely with its green beak. A patch of pink shows on both upper and lower parts of its beak near the mouth and a darker green around the eyes. Body feathers are principally deep greenish-blue.
The Toco Toucan
Brazil is the home of this one, somewhat smaller than the sulfur-breasted, but with quite different color patterns. For instance, its seven-inch beak, which is also longer than the rest of the body, on most tocos is bright red and bright yellow. A black patch is on the end of the upper half, as well as a black ribbon circling it near the bird’s eye. This band extends over the lower half of the beak as well.
There is a deep blue circle around black eyes and a white or yellowish neck, but on some the throat and breast are a light chocolate brown. Beyond that point the body is deep black, except for a red heart-shaped area between the bottom of its tail and body.
The Keel-Billed Toucan
This one has perhaps the most startling colors of all. Its beak, not as long as some, has a bright red front on the upper part, followed by green all the way to its head, except for an orange spot in the center. The lower half has a smaller matching red point, backed by purple-blue, then a mixture of green and white, winding up with a final spot of blue at the base of the bird’s head.
The lower part of its head, throat and part of its stomach, are canary yellow, while the upper part and rest of the body are deep black, except for a bright red shield between the tail and body. Quite pretty, don’t you think?
Toucans all have rather long, slender legs and long toes with sharp claws. Their unusual beaks are thin and light in weight, and are great for snatching insects in the air, picking fruit or robbing eggs from bird nests. Wings are short and rounded and tails quite long. Their calls are harsh and lack the melodies common to so many other birds.
As the opening Bible verse reminds us, it is the Lord God who created all things, including these spectacular birds. But, in spite of His greatness, He has loving thoughts toward every person on earth. Another Bible verse tells us “[He] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4. Are you saved from your sins?
ML-11/17/1991