Published 11:48 PM HADT Jun 13, 2014
HONOLULU —Toco Toucans are best known as the fruit-eating bird on Fruit Loops boxes, but there's something else in their diet that's turning heads.
The birds hail from South America and have a sharp chirp.
"They have a really beautiful red-yellow-orange bill and a shark contrast between black and white," said James Breeden, a zoo keeper.
Beneath the colorful surfaces there's a darker side. Birds like Cha Cha and Carlos eat much more than fruit loops.
"A lot of people don't know that the beak is also used for reaching down into bird nests to grab chicks, so a lot of people think that these birds are only fruit eaters. But, they also eat other bird species," said Breeden.
Over the years, their beaks have adapted in shape to what they eat; adding more space with little weight.
"One of the modifications of a Toco Toucan is to have a really hollow beak, so it would look much like a honeycomb," said Breeden.
Keepers say the lighter they are, the easier it is for them to fly away with food.
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