Toucan vs. Parrot — What's the Difference?

A brightly colored, fruit-eating bird with a large bill.

Belongs to the order Psittaciformes, which is known for intelligent and social birds.

A member of the Ramphastidae family, native to the Americas.

Often colorful and found in a variety of climates, including tropical and temperate zones.

Known for its oversized bill, useful for reaching and eating fruit.

Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 398 species in 92 genera comprising the order Psittaciformes , found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the Psittacoidea ("true" parrots), the Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and the Strigopoidea (New Zealand parrots).

Non-migratory birds that play a role in forest seed dispersal.

Any of numerous primarily tropical and subtropical birds of the order Psittaciformes, characterized by a short hooked bill, brightly colored plumage, and, in some species, the ability to mimic human speech or other sounds.

Tropical birds that nest in tree holes, often abandoned by woodpeckers.

One who imitates the words or actions of another, especially without understanding them.

Toucans (, UK: ) are members of the Neotropical near passerine bird family Ramphastidae. The Ramphastidae are most closely related to the American barbets.

To repeat or imitate, especially without understanding.

Any of various South and Central American birds of the family Ramphastidae, having a very large bill and often brightly colored plumage, and feeding mainly on small fruits.

A kind of bird, many species of which are colorful and able to mimic human speech, of the order Psittaciformes or (narrowly) of the family Psittacidae.

Any of various neotropical frugivorous birds from the family Ramphastidae, with a large colorful beak.

A parroter; a person who repeats the words or ideas of others.

Any one of numerous species of fruit-eating birds of tropical America belonging to Ramphastos, Pteroglossus, and allied genera of the family Ramphastidæ. They have a very large, but light and thin, beak, often nearly as long as the body itself. Most of the species are brilliantly colored with red, yellow, white, and black in striking contrast.

(archaic) A puffin.

A modern constellation of the southern hemisphere.

Channel coal.

Brilliantly colored arboreal fruit-eating bird of tropical America having a very large thin-walled beak

A transponder.

(transitive) To repeat (exactly what has just been said) without necessarily showing understanding, in the manner of a parrot.

In a general sense, any bird of the order Psittaci.

Any species of Psittacus, Chrysotis, Pionus, and other genera of the family Psittacidæ, as distinguished from the parrakeets, macaws, and lories. They have a short rounded or even tail, and often a naked space on the cheeks. The gray parrot, or jako (Psittacus erithacus) of Africa (see Jako), and the species of Amazon, or green, parrots (Chrysotis) of America, are examples. Many species, as cage birds, readily learn to imitate sounds, and to repeat words and phrases.

To repeat by rote, without understanding, as a parrot.

To chatter like a parrot.

Usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds

A copycat who does not understand the words or acts being imitated

Repeat mindlessly;

A bird with a distinctive curved beak and the ability to imitate sounds.

Some species are highly endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade.

Can live for many years, sometimes outliving their human owners.

A toucan's bill is oversized and brightly colored, while a parrot's is curved and strong for cracking nuts.

Yes, toucans are social and often found in small flocks.

No, toucans do not have the ability to mimic human speech, unlike many parrots.

Toucans are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

Toucans primarily eat fruit but can also consume insects and small animals.

Parrots inhabit a range of environments from tropical rainforests to desert regions.

Parrots communicate using a variety of sounds, and some species can mimic human speech.

Parrots have a varied diet, including seeds, nuts, fruit, and other plant material.

No, toucans are non-migratory and remain in their tropical forest habitats.

Yes, but parrots are more commonly kept as pets due to their interactive nature.

Toucans play a role in seed dispersal, helping to maintain their forest habitats.

Parrots have a specialized voice box called a syrinx that allows them to produce a wide range of sounds.

Parrots can live for several decades, with some species living up to 80 years or more.

Some parrot species are highly endangered due to habitat destruction and the pet trade.

Despite its size, the toucan's bill is lightweight due to its spongy composition.