A toucan is a tropical bird famous for its enormous, brightly colored beak. These remarkable birds live in the rainforests of Central and South America, where their beaks can be longer than their entire body, splashed with bold oranges, yellows, greens, and reds that make them look almost cartoonish.

Despite looking heavy and awkward, a toucan's beak is surprisingly lightweight, made of hollow bone covered in keratin (the same material as your fingernails). Scientists believe the large beak helps toucans reach fruit on branches too thin to support their weight, and it may also help them stay cool by releasing body heat, like a built-in air conditioner.

Toucans use their beaks for more than just eating. They toss fruit to each other in a kind of game, wrestle beaks with other toucans, and even use them to scare away predators or defend their nests. When sleeping, a toucan tucks its beak under its wing and folds its tail over its head, turning into a compact, feathery ball.

You'll often see toucans as symbols of tropical regions, appearing in artwork, logos, and even cereal boxes, where their distinctive look makes them instantly recognizable.