Q 01/05

Toucans are native to which region?

A) Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar

B) Southeast Asia and New Guinea

C) The Neotropics, Mexico to Argentina

D) Northern Australia and Tasmania

Answer · why

C) The Neotropics, Mexico to Argentina

They never made it to the West Indies: toucans are poor dispersers, especially over water.

Q 02/05

Toucans belong to which bird family?

A) Ramphastidae

B) Psittacidae

C) Bucerotidae

D) Picidae

Answer · why

A) Ramphastidae

The family holds five genera and over 40 species; their nearest relatives are the toucan-barbets.

Q 03/05

Which Old World birds fill the same ecological niche as toucans, an example of convergent evolution?

A) Hornbills

B) Parrots

C) Woodpeckers

D) Kingfishers

Answer · why

A) Hornbills

Big bill, fruit diet, tree-hole nests: the two families arrived at the same design independently.

Q 04/05

How many eggs do toucans typically lay?

A) One

B) Six to eight

C) Two to four

D) Ten or more

Answer · why

C) Two to four

The white eggs go in a tree hollow, and the chicks hatch completely naked, without any down.

Q 05/05

Where do toucans usually nest?

A) In tree hollows dug by other animals

B) In mud nests on cliffs

C) In woven hanging baskets

D) On the ground under leaves

Answer · why

A) In tree hollows dug by other animals

Their bill is almost useless for excavation, so they borrow woodpecker holes and natural cavities.