TOUCANS OF COSTA RICA

Truly exotic, toucans are favorite subjects for many photographers with their oversized beaks and extraordinary color combinations.

Some of these spectacular Costa Rica birds are really flamboyant with absolutely stunning colors.

Once, while ziplining close to magnificent Arenal Volcano, a big one with a brightly colored bill flew right past me.

It was every bit as exciting being up close to it as dangling by a wire some 70 feet up in the canopy.

Including 6 or the world's 42 types of toucans.

The really spectacularly colored keel-bill inhabits lowland and mid-elevation forests throughout Costa Rica with the exception of the southwest Pacific. Its beak looks almost like somebody painted it like a rainbow.

And what's up with its blue feet?

The chestnut-mandible (also called "Swainsons") is the largest in all of Costa Rica and has a very distinctive cry which Ticos say is "Dios te de, te de, te de" or "God grant you."

This is a very impressive bird, a couple of feet (60 centimers) long, that likes moist forests along the coasts of this little country.

I'm not sure why they're named the way they are but there are also two cousins called toucanets and two other cousins called aracaris.

Two things I am sure of.

First, with their distinctive bills, you'll know them when you see them as you travel Costa Rica.

And you'll never forget the thrill of seeing that first one on your Costa Rica vacation.

This is what makes Costa Rica tourism world-famous.

And your Costa Rica vacation unfortgettable.

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