A toucan's beak has a rich supply of blood vessels running along its surface so the bird's bill is suited to act as a means of radiating heat to keep the core temperature of the body stable ...

But the toucan, which first appeared in 1935, prevailed. It was often used in the United Kingdom. Brady credits its popularity to the animal's color and cheeriness.

Meanwhile, the smallest toucan is the tawny-tufted toucanet (Selenidera nattereri), which measures 12.5 inches in length. The toco toucan is also the heaviest toucan, weight up to 1.9 pounds.

Rapoza last saw the toucan on Saturday, March 29, during a fortuitously scheduled TAS Society birdwalk at Fairchild. About 50 people joined the walk led by Dr. José Francisco Barros, president of ...