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....Toucan...


....Toucan...
Photo Information
Copyright: Narayanan Ganesan (gannu) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-09-21
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-10-02 1:26
Viewed: 1069
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Shot in Singapore. Thanks to Steve Pryor for correcting me with the ID. TN Name (Cuckooroller).



Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Genus: Ramphastos
Species: R. toco



The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the largest and arguably best known species in the toucan family. It is found in semi-open habitats throughout a large part of central and eastern South America.

The Toco Toucan has a striking plumage with a mainly black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail-coverts, and red undertail-coverts. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded by another ring of bare, orange skin. The most noticeable feature, however, is its huge bill, which is yellow-orange, tending to deeper reddish-orange on its lower sections and culmen, and with a black base and large spot on the tip. It looks heavy, but as in other toucans it is relatively light because the inside largely is hollow. The tongue is nearly as long as the bill and very flat. With a total length of 55-65 cm (22-26 in), incl. a bill that measures almost 20 cm (8 in), and a weight of 500-860 g (17.5-30 oz), it is the largest species of toucan and the largest representative of the order Piciformes. The average Toco Toucan is 700 grams. Males are larger than females, but otherwise the sexes are alike. Juveniles are duller and shorter-billed than adults. Its voice consists of a deep, coarse croaking, often repeated every few seconds. Also has a rattling call and will bill-clack.

It occurs in northern and eastern Bolivia, extreme south-eastern Peru, northern Argentina, eastern and central Paraguay, eastern and southern Brazil (excluding southern Rio Grande do Sul, the dry regions dominated by Caatinga vegetation and coastal regions between Ceará and Rio de Janeiro). Other disjunct populations occur along the lower Amazon River (Ilha de Marajo west approximately to the Madeira River), far northern Brazil in Roraima, and coastal regions of the Guianas. It only penetrates the Amazon in relatively open areas (e.g. along river corridors). It is resident, but local movements may occur.

The Toco Toucan eats fruit (e.g. figs and Passiflora edulis) using its bill to pluck them from trees, but also insects, and nestlings and eggs of birds. It also has been known to capture and eat small adult birds in captivity. The long bill is useful for reaching things that otherwise would be out-of-reach. It is also used to skin fruit and scare off predators. It is typically seen in pairs or small groups. In flight it alternates between a burst of rapid flaps with the relatively short, rounded wings and gliding. Nesting is seasonal, but timing differs between regions. The nest is typically placed high in a tree and consists of a cavity, at least part of which is excavated by the parent birds themselves. It has also been recorded nesting in holes in earth-banks and terrestrial termite-nests. Their reproduction cycle is annual. The female usually lays two to four eggs a few days after mating. The eggs are incubated by both sexes and hatch after 17-18 days. These birds are very protective of themselves and of their babies.


Exposure Time: 1/400
F-Stop: f/7.1
ISO Speed Ratings: 400
Focal Length: 300/1 mm
Date Taken: 2008-09-21 12:40
Metering Mode: Partial
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
File Size: 226 kb

Ganesh
siggi, boreocypriensis, jaycee, Janice has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To cuckooroller: Hornbillgannu 1 10-02 03:16
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1370 W: 56 N: 4704] (16174)
  • [2008-10-02 1:28]

Great shot Narayanan, very sharp, good composition, nice colours and lovely background.
Thanks for sharing.
Siggi

Hi Gannu,
If you like before posting, you can attach the photo and send it to me for the ID.

Not a Hornbill.

This is Ramphastos toco (Toco Toucan). Nothing to do with the Hornbill family, it is related to the Piciformes (Woodpeckers), and as all Toucans, they are exclusively new world birds.

Ciao Ganesh,
bellissima cattura di questo Tucano, ottimi POV, DOF e composizione per la bella postura e l'ottimo OOF BG che mette in risalto la buona nitidezza e i magnifici colori dell'uccello.
TFS.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • san Silver Note Writer [C: 6 W: 0 N: 22] (162)
  • [2008-10-02 4:16]

Wow, that is such a pretty bird, and it posed well too, to flaunt its beauty.
A new world bird... I am getting to learn so much...
TFS
San

Hi Ganesh,
A lovely and perfect shot of this huge-beaked fellow with great details and useful notes on the species. Composition, POV and DOF are also perfect. TFS. Good Bye!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello nice shot. Good colors. Vignesh

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-10-02 10:44]

Hi Ganesh,

A beautiful capture of this adorable Toco Toucan. Colors and details are wonderful. I love the huge beak, the blue eye and the marvelous black and white plummage. Even his feet are cute. An excellent pose and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-10-02 14:44]

Hi Ganesh,
this is a lovely photo of this funny Toucan :-)
I really like the simple but vibrent colour scheme.
Well composed with a good POV.
Excellent DOF.
Sharp and crisp.

Well done,
Joe

Superb shot, 'Na!
Very beautifully framed!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hi Ganesh, great capture of lovely Tucan with wonderful colors and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Ganesh well captured. Sharp focus on colorful bird. Well done. Regards - Adil.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2008-10-05 1:40]

These birds never look real! To me that large orange beak looks like a plastic blow-up beak :))
Amazing bird, it is so bright with striking colours.
Well done Gannu
Janice

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