The family Ramphastidae includes toucans, toucanets and the smaller toucan called aracaris. There are about 40 different species.

Toucans live in tropical and sub-tropical jungle regions, they are native to southern Mexico in Central America, the northern areas of South America, and the Caribbean region.

Toucans are renown for their large colorful bills. At 8 inches (20 cm) they have the longest bill of any bird in the world in relation to their body size 25 in (63.5 cm).

Despite its size, the toucan's bill is very light as it is made of keratin (like human hair) in a honeycomb-like structure. It is believed to be this large in order to keep the bird cool in the hot climates it lives in.

This does mean the toucan's bill is not very strong, so it can't be used for digging or fighting like other bird beaks.

Toucan's have long narrow tongues up to 15 cm (6 in) long.

The relatively small wings of the toucan means they are not very good at flying and cannot stay airborne for long. This is fine by them though, they often don't move far, and usually hop between branches using curved toes and sharp claws.

Toucans mainly eat fruit, but sometimes prey on insects and small lizards.

Toucans live together in small-sized flocks, they make nests in tree hollows or holes that have often be created by their distant cousin the woodpecker.

The Toco toucan is the most widely recognized species of toucan, it has a large black-tipped orangey-yellow bill and a black bodied plumage with a white throat.

Toucans are one of the nosier jungle birds. They live for up to 20 years, and their predators include jaguars and other big cats.

Since the 1960's, Toucan Sam, a cartoon mascot, has been used as the face of Kellogg's breakfast cereal Fruit Loops.