Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
February 17, 1795
Primary Source Reference:
Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 17 Feb 1795
Additional Source Text:
"This extraordinary bird is from Cayenne, South America. Its bill which is almost as large as the body, is not morre extraordinary than its tongue, which resembles a feather; therefore, by some of the Brazillians, it is called the Feather Tongue Bird."
Notes:
There are more than forty species of toucan within five genera found from Southern Mexico, through Central America, into South America. The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), pictured here, is the largest and best known of the toucans.
"A toucan's tongue is long (up to 14–15 cm, or 6 inches), narrow, grey, and singularly frayed on each side, adding to its sensitivity as a tasting organ." (Wikipedia)
Specimen Type:
Live (presumably eventually taxidermied/preserved)
Peale's Common Name:
Toucan (bill-bird)
Current Common Name:
Toco toucan
Current Scientific Name
Ramphastos toco
