Why do Toucans...

07-23-2009, 03:06 PM

... have such huge beaks? This could well be the answer. Very clever.

Hot Secret Behind Toucan's Bill

07-23-2009, 03:21 PM

Very interesting thanks.

07-23-2009, 04:25 PM

Wow, cool

. That thermal imaging was great!

07-23-2009, 05:06 PM

That was really neat!!!

07-23-2009, 05:15 PM

I thought so!

They said they are going to look at how other birds use their beaks for temperature regulation as well, which reminded me of when Jess said about Ruby's beak getting hot. Could be something to do with this!

07-23-2009, 06:26 PM

Yes, that's what I thought about too! I just figured their beaks were so big because they liked to stuff them with Fruit Loop Cereal!

07-24-2009, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessalyn eaton

Yes, that's what I thought about too! I just figured their beaks were so big because they liked to stuff them with Fruit Loop Cereal!

Interesting information. I think duel purpose, Jess. : )

07-24-2009, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abc

I thought so!

They said they are going to look at how other birds use their beaks for temperature regulation as well, which reminded me of when Jess said about Ruby's beak getting hot. Could be something to do with this!

Great article!!

This article (link below) was written about Macaws. The author feels that their bare facial patches (as well as their beaks) are designed to help dissipate heat on the larger birds.

LINK: Why do Macaws have bare cheeks? - Macawboard

07-24-2009, 04:34 PM

Could well be that the macaws went down the bare cheek evolutionary route, and the toucans wound up with huge beaks. Not that thermoregulation is the only purpose for the large beaks of course.

07-24-2009, 08:09 PM

Ruby says "that's the way God made me!".