Like all toucan species, Ramphastos toco nests in cavities high
in the forest trees. It favors holes that are barely wide enough
for it to fit and it often returns to the same hole for several
years. The breeding season of this bird varies with the region.
It typically lays 2-4 pure white eggs. Both parents share the
duties of nesting. In order to fit within the confines of the
small nesting cavity, the parents flex their long tails forward
over their backs. Ramphastos toco only has one clutch per year.
This species gives birth to altricial young. The eggs hatch
after 16 to 20 days (Phoenix Zoo, 1995). When the young hatch,
they are naked and blind. At first, they do not look like
toucans at all. Their lower bill projects beyond the tip of the
upper and the soft tongue completely fills the bill cavity. The
bill gradually grows to adult proportions. The development of
the young is very slow. The eyes open at 3 weeks and the bill
does not reach full size and coloring until several months
later. Other distinctiv