Toucans are colorful, vibrant birds that are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are well known for their large, colorful bills which can often make up 1/3 of their body length. While there are over 40 different species of toucans, they all belong to the family Ramphastidae.
Toco Toucan
The most well-known species of toucan is the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco). This is the largest toucan species and has a black body with a white throat and chest. Their massive bill is brightly colored yellow with an orange tip.
Scientific Classification
The Toco Toucan has the following scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: R. toco
So the Toco Toucan’s full scientific name is Ramphastos toco. Like all living organisms, its genus and species names are italicized when written scientifically.
Keel-Billed Toucan
Another well-known toucan species is the Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus). These have black bodies with bright yellow cheeks and throat. Their bills are a vibrant rainbow of green, red, orange and yellow colors.
Scientific Classification
The Keel-billed Toucan has the following scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: R. sulfuratus
So the Keel-billed Toucan’s full scientific name is Ramphastos sulfuratus. When written scientifically, the genus and species names are italicized.
Red-Breasted Toucan
The Red-breasted Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) is aptly named for the bright red patch on its chest. These medium-sized toucans have black bodies with blue skin around their eyes. Their large bills are a mix of yellow, red and orange.
Scientific Classification
The Red-breasted Toucan is classified as:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: R. dicolorus
So the scientific name for the Red-breasted Toucan is Ramphastos dicolorus.
Channel-Billed Toucan
The Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus) is one of the largest toucan species. They are mostly black with a white-yellow throat and upper chest. Their massive bill is yellow on top and black on the bottom.
Scientific Classification
Here is the taxonomy for the Channel-billed Toucan:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: R. vitellinus
So the Channel-billed Toucan’s scientific name is Ramphastos vitellinus when written properly with italicized genus and species.
Scarlet-Throated Toucan
With its bright red throat patch, the Scarlet-throated Toucan (Ramphastos tucanus) certainly lives up to its name. These large black toucans have blue skin around their eyes and yellow-orange beaks.
Scientific Classification
The taxonomy classification of the Scarlet-throated Toucan is:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Ramphastos
- Species: R. tucanus
Giving this toucan the scientific name of Ramphastos tucanus when written properly in italics.
Lettered Araçari
The Lettered Araçari (Pteroglossus inscriptus) is a smaller toucan species. It has a green body, with a chestnut colored belly and tail-tip. Its relatively small bill has a yellow tip and black and ivory bands.
Scientific Classification
This is the scientific classification of the Lettered Araçari:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Piciformes
- Family: Ramphastidae
- Genus: Pteroglossus
- Species: P. inscriptus
Giving the Lettered Araçari the scientific name Pteroglossus inscriptus.
Conclusion
While there are over 40 species of these colorful, vibrant birds, they all belong to the scientific family Ramphastidae. Their unique, oversized bills come in a rainbow of colors and patterns and can make up 1/3 of their total body length. The most well known species like the Toco and Keel-billed Toucans belong to the genus Ramphastos, while smaller species like the Lettered Araçari belong to the genus Pteroglossus. But no matter their size or color patterns, the scientific classification of toucans gives us a organized way to identify and study these amazing birds!