Toucan beaks are so heavy that the bird needs a large tail to balance the weight when flying.
Despite their massive appearance, toucan beaks are composed of hollow bones with thin keratin covering, making them surprisingly lightweight. The beak weighs about 10% of the bird's body weight, which is proportionally less than the beak weight of smaller birds like parrots. Toucans' large tails serve other purposes like balance and thermoregulation, not specifically for counterbalancing their beaks.
Reception
Sources
- Smithsonian Magazine: Toucan Beaks REFERENCE
- Ornithology Today: Beak Structure REFERENCE