Toco toucan beak

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The toco toucan, the largest species of toucan, has a beak that amounts to one third of its body length. Ramphastos toco -Birdworld, Farnham, Surrey, England-8a.jpg
The toco toucan, the largest species of toucan, has a beak that amounts to one third of its body length.

The beak of the toco toucan is integral to their vital social, feeding, foraging, and nest building behaviors. [1] Since the toucan beak does not fully regenerate, it is evolutionarily favorable for it to have robust mechanical properties while still being light enough to allow flight. The beak makes up one-third of the toucan's body length, while contributing to less than three percent of the toucan's weight. [1] The beak structure largely influences its mechanical properties and the lifestyle of the toucan. The beak's properties are increasingly becoming popular in the realm of biomimicry as several industries such as architecture, transportation, and protective equipment can utilize trends of the biological beak structure in manmade designs.

Contents

Structure

Outer beak

The toucan beak has a synergistic sandwich structure with a thin rigid outer shell encapsulating the bulk of the volume which is a cellular solid. [1] The exterior layer, known as the rhamphotheca, is composed of several layers of overlapping sheets of beta keratin . [1] Each keratin sublayer is between 2 and 10 micrometers thick with the entire rhamphotheca stack being 0.5 to 0.75 mm thick, varying by position along the length of the beak. [1] Hexagonal keratin cells with a diameter around 50 micrometers make up the majority of the laminate shell. Each cell boundary and interior are interwoven with a matrix of intermediate filaments with randomly distributed orientations, allowing for the isotropic character of the material. [2] The purpose of the matrix is to act as a viscoelastic medium for dispersing severe impacts to the beak over a greater area, to reduce the effects of local imperfections, protecting it from cracking damage. [3]

The toucan beak has an outer shell composed of hexagonal keratin tiles and an inner closed cell foam. KeratinScale&ToucanFoam.png
The toucan beak has an outer shell composed of hexagonal keratin tiles and an inner closed cell foam.

Hydroxyapatite mineralization is present but to a lesser extent than in the inner foam. [3] Keratin in the rhamphotheca of the toucan beak has a much lower abundance of sulfur, and therefore the amino acid, cystine, compared to other keratin structures like hair. This indicates less disulfide crosslinking.

The toucan beak features a synergistic sandwich structure with a thin rigid outer shell layer encapsulating a foam interior. This image shows a cross-section of the upper and lower parts of the toco toucan beak. Toucan Beak Structure.png
The toucan beak features a synergistic sandwich structure with a thin rigid outer shell layer encapsulating a foam interior. This image shows a cross-section of the upper and lower parts of the toco toucan beak.

Inner beak

The inner beak is a collagen foam, with a high glycine content and subsequent hardness as in most bones. [2] The fibrous network of collagen trabeculae varies from 70 to 200 micrometers in thickness and are often hollow with an edge connectivity of 3 or above. [3] These, along with even thinner (2 to 25 micrometer) membranes characterize a closed cell foam network which provides the optimal strength at low density for flight consideration. [3] The membranes and trabeculae have higher calcium mineralization content than the dense outer beak. [3] Micro- and nano- indentation testing supports the notion that the inner collagen trabeculae are stronger pound for pound than the outer shell. [1]

Mechanical and material properties

Research has been conducted in order to determine mechanical and material properties of the Toucan Beak. The apparent density of the overall beak is estimated to be between 0.1 and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. [4]

Outer beak properties

The exterior shell of the beak, the rhamphotheca, has a tensile strength of around 50 MPa and a Young's Modulus of 6.7 GPa. [3] From testing the keratin-layer of the beak, it was found the mean value of the Yield Strength is 30 MPa. [3] Further, the yield strength of the beak is sensitive to the strain rate and is associated with the viscoelasticity of the inter-scale glue for the keratin scales. [3] When the yield stress of the beak nears or exceeds the ultimate tensile strength, the fracture of the keratin scales is preferred for the beak over the viscoelastic deformation of the inter-scale glue. [3] In regard to the Young's Modulus and Yield Strength of the keratin in the beak, these values do not change along the longitudinal and transverse direction. [3] The keratin shell can therefore be considered transversely isotropic. [3] The fracture modes of the keratin shell demonstrate a dependence on the strain rate at which the fracture occurs. [3] Testing at lower strain rates revealed a slipping of the scales that is a result of the organic glue being released. For higher strain rates, the keratin scales fractured. [3] Hardness tests were conducted to determine microhardness and nanohardness values for the keratin shell, which are 0.22 ± 0.01 GPa and 0.48 ± 0.06 GPa, respectively. [1]

The toco toucan beak (top) has a foam interior that is populated with blood vessels to help it serve as a thermoregulator for the bird. Bird illustration by Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de Paradis et Des Rolliers by Jacques Barraband, digitally enhanced by rawpixel-com 94.jpg
The toco toucan beak (top) has a foam interior that is populated with blood vessels to help it serve as a thermoregulator for the bird.

Inner beak properties

For the internal foam part of the toucan beak, which is composed of trabeculae, the Young's Modulus was found to be 12.7 GPa, which is higher than that of the outer shell. [3] This difference is due to the calcium content being higher in the foam than that in the keratin shell. [3] The relative density of the foam was found to be 0.09. [4] [6] Tests were conducted to determine the hardness values of the trabecula. The Microhardness value was found to be 0.28 ± 0.03 GPa, and the nano-hardness value was found to be 0.55 ± 0.12 GPa. [4] For the foam of the beak, the crushing stress increased with its density. The mean value found for crushing stress is 0.17 MPa. [2]

Functions

The toucan beak serves several functional roles for the toucan such as acting as a thermal regulator for heat exchange, a tool in feeding, and a method of defense. The toucan has an extreme beak size, with the beak accounting for approximately forty percent of the bird's total body surface area. When compared to other birds, it is noted that the toucan is exposed to some of the warmest monthly temperatures and has the longest beak length. [5] Geographic and temperature variation in beak size has been presumed to relate to resource exploitation and reproduction. Many early researchers assumed to associate beak size with sex-specific traits such as mate selection or vocalization. However, more recently the beak has more closely been linked to its role in physiological homeostasis. [6]

Thermoregulation

As endothermic organisms, toucans produce their own body heat through metabolism and regulate their body temperature through heat exchange with the environment. Such a heat exchange process occurs usually within an enlarged, uninsulated and well vascularized appendage where blood is able to flow to allow for efficient heat exchange. The toucan beak has a network of superficial blood vessels that support the rhamphotheca, the horny sheath of the bill. [7] The toucan is able to dilate or enlarge the beak's blood vessels when temperatures rise above a thermal neutral zone to allow for blood to pass readily into the beak, allowing for heat exchange and cooling. While below the thermal neutral zone the vessels constrict in order to allow for conservation of metabolic heat. [5] Research has shown that at warmer temperatures, heat is observed throughout the length of the beak in both adult and young toucans, indicating that heat release through the beak is done to cool the toucan body. [7] [8] In colder temperatures, the beak largely maintains the ambient temperature of the environment with only the proximal beak showing warmer temperatures, demonstrating that blood may be shunted away from the beak and kept flowing mostly within the body to maintain warmth. [7] Other research shows that the toucan bill's foam interior and ability to quickly transfer heat renders the bill a liability in colder climates and is the typical reason why toucans commonly sleep with their bills tucked beneath their wings to help aid in heat conservation. [5]

Feeding

Toucans are omnivorous and feed on food of both plant and animal origin. The large size of the toucan bill enables the bird to crack larger seeds for fuel and easily grasp fruits, vegetables, insects, eggs, and small birds. [5] The longer length of their bill allows toucans to pluck fruit from the tips of tree branches without requiring them to leave a stable position on another branch or perch. [9] The structure of the toucan bill has serrations similar to those of a knife which allows them to easily tear food apart and peel fruits. [10]

Defense

Toucans have natural predators such as forest eagles, hawks, and owls. The birds must also defend themselves from boas, jaguars and margays who sometimes invade toucan nests. [11] To protect themselves, toucans rely heavily on their loud voices that aim to scare off enemies and alert other toucans to the threat of danger. [11] In addition, toucans will strike their bill against a tree or branch as a defensive display of strength. [10] The toucan bill can withstand such compressive strikes against branches due to its previously described structure. Other defensive acts include toucans consuming small baby birds or eggs of other birds. The extreme size of the toucan's bill provides defensive assistance since smaller birds are frightened by both the size and bright colors of the bill. The toucan's beak and its strength, however, are only useful in defense while perched; other birds typically only attack a toucan while it is in flight since the bird cannot defend itself with its beak while flying. [9]

Biomimicry

The unique properties of the toco toucan beak make it a viable option for biomimetic designs, or systems modeled on biological entities. Toucan beaks are responsible for only one twentieth of the entire mass of the creature allowing the bird to fly even with its massive beak. [12] As previously mentioned, the keratin shell and closed-cell foam organization in the toucan beak plays a role in the beak's characteristic energy absorption, compressive resistance, high stiffness and strength features. [12] Additionally, toucan beaks also have insulation capacities. [12] All of the properties of the toucan beak in tandem with its low weight make the beak a valuable biological entity to study for a variety of design applications. However, there are currently only a few applications of the toucan and its beak in biomimetic models.

The toco toucan is found in northeastern South America, mainly in Brazil. Here there are designs and architecture that draw inspiration from the properties of the toco toucan's beak. Toco toucan range.PNG
The toco toucan is found in northeastern South America, mainly in Brazil. Here there are designs and architecture that draw inspiration from the properties of the toco toucan's beak.

Architecture

For example, Brazilian biologist and architect Alessandra Araujo aided in the design of the Votu Hotel in Bahia, Brazil. [13] This hotel was aimed to maintain and support the region's native species. Araujo employed various biomimetic designs for the hotel, such as how prairie dogs utilize burrows to insulate from extreme heat, the saguaro cactus' self-shading ability, and the native bird - the toco toucan - beak which plays a role as an extremely efficient thermal regulator. [13] Specifically in the layout of the hotel, Araujo chose to design the kitchens of the rooms at the Votu hotel after the toco toucan's beak. Since one of the goals of this hotel was to minimize air conditioning and electricity consumption, the kitchen schematics were inspired by the toucan's ability to live with large temperature swings like having extremely hot days and cool nights. [13] As the heat produced in the kitchen areas rises to the ceiling, it is drawn into a copper coil that passes through rooftop soil on the hotel. Air cools in the shade of a rooftop garden, and eventually returns to the kitchen. This system allows the hotel to have a natural air conditioner which requires no additional energy. [13]

Protective equipment

Many potential biomimetic applications based on the characteristics of the toucan beak are currently hypothetical ideas that have not yet been employed. Among the most popular ideas is using the toucan beak to design personal protective wear like helmets. [14] Helmets are very important for the safety of individuals riding bikes, motorcycles, for rock climbers, athletes, and more. However, the heavy, awkward, and uncomfortable wear of helmets can lead to people taking them off and risking a head injury. [14] By integrating characteristics of a toucan beak into new helmet design, the risk of head injury might decrease since new designs may provide a more comfortable, lighter, thinner, but stronger protective piece. Such new helmets or protective equipment draw inspiration from toucan beaks by having a light mass but immense strength. Additionally, the aesthetic of these new helmets could be improved with a thinner, less bulky design, and could eliminate the hesitation to wear helmets because of their unpleasing appearance. [14] Similar to helmets, the toucan beak features could also be incorporated into football crash pads and other protective gear whose innovative design would reduce bulkiness prevent interference with activity performance. Some current protective wear inhibits athletic ability, such as bulky knee pads hindering skaters’ speeds.

Other

More general possible applications for the toucan beak design are creating crash resistant vehicles without compromising fuel economy. These possibilities can draw on the toucan beak's energy absorption capacity created by its structural properties. [15] A famous materials researcher, Meyers, studied toucan beaks extensively and suggested another application for cars; the creation of car panels that are lighter, stronger, and safer than current panels. [16] Meyers also noted the ability for the toucan beak design, specifically the ultra-lightness, to be incorporated into aircraft or other vehicle components. [15]

Another situation in which the toucan, though not specifically the beak features, was employed was for the "Beak Laser Projector". This projector" is a portable projector drawing inspiration from the toucan's ability to tuck its long beak against its neck and under its wings. This design allowed the projector to achieve its goal of "skull" rotation and simultaneously provided a product with better usability, convenience, and most compact form. [17]

Cultural mimicry

In the Finnish video game series Angry Birds, the green toucan character Hal is given a long, massive beak with a boomerang-like structure that allows him to do something called "boomeranging", which is actually turning back in the direction towards the starting point.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keratin</span> One of a family of fibrous structural proteins

Keratin is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. Alpha-keratin (α-keratin) is a type of keratin found in vertebrates. It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin among vertebrates. Keratin also protects epithelial cells from damage or stress. Keratin is extremely insoluble in water and organic solvents. Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and form strong unmineralized epidermal appendages found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. Excessive keratinization participate in fortification of certain tissues such as in horns of cattle and rhinos, and armadillos' osteoderm. The only other biological matter known to approximate the toughness of keratinized tissue is chitin. Keratin comes in two types, the primitive, softer forms found in all vertebrates and harder, derived forms found only among sauropsids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle personal protective equipment</span> Protective clothing and helmets for motorcycle safety

To improve motorcycle safety, many countries mandate the wearing of personal protective equipment such as protective clothing and helmets. Protective clothing may include certain types of jackets, gloves, boots, and pants. Jackets meant for motorcyclists are typically made of leather or specialized man-made fabrics like cordura or Kevlar. These jackets typically include padding on the elbow, spine, and shoulder regions. This was once quite bulky, but modern technology and materials have made it unobtrusive. Gloves are generally made of leather or Kevlar and some include carbon fiber knuckle protection. Boots, especially those for sport riding, include reinforcement and plastic caps on the ankle and toe areas. Pants are usually leather, cordura, or Kevlar. Except for helmets, none of these items are required by law in any state in the USA, or in any part of the UK but are recommended by many of those who ride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon fibers</span> Material fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter composed of carbon

Carbon fibers or carbon fibres are fibers about 5 to 10 micrometers (0.00020–0.00039 in) in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. Carbon fibers have several advantages: high stiffness, high tensile strength, high strength to weight ratio, high chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and low thermal expansion. These properties have made carbon fiber very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, motorsports, and other competition sports. However, they are relatively expensive compared to similar fibers, such as glass fiber, basalt fibers, or plastic fibers.

Fiberglass or fibreglass is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass cloth. The plastic matrix may be a thermoset polymer matrix—most often based on thermosetting polymers such as epoxy, polyester resin, or vinyl ester resin—or a thermoplastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle helmet</span> Safety helmet used by motorcycle riders

A motorcycle helmet is a type of helmet used by motorcycle riders. Motorcycle helmets contribute to motorcycle safety by protecting the rider's head in the event of an impact. They reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and the risk of death by 42%. Their use is required by law in many countries.

The beak, bill, or rostrum is an external anatomical structure found mostly in birds, but also in turtles, non-avian dinosaurs and a few mammals. A beak is used for pecking, grasping, and holding, preening, courtship, and feeding young. The terms beak and rostrum are also used to refer to a similar mouth part in some ornithischians, pterosaurs, cetaceans, dicynodonts, anuran tadpoles, monotremes, sirens, pufferfish, billfishes and cephalopods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodpecker</span> Family of birds (Picidae)

Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specialises in exploiting cacti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard hat</span> Protective headwear

A hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments such as industrial or construction sites to protect the head from injury due to falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric shock. Suspension bands inside the helmet spread the helmet's weight and the force of any impact over the top of the head. A suspension also provides space of approximately 30 mm between the helmet's shell and the wearer's head, so that if an object strikes the shell, the impact is less likely to be transmitted directly to the skull. Some helmet shells have a mid-line reinforcement ridge to improve impact resistance. The rock climbing helmet fulfills a very similar role in a different context and has a very similar design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dry suit</span> Watertight clothing that seals the wearer from cold and hazardous liquids

A dry suit or drysuit provides the wearer with environmental protection by way of thermal insulation and exclusion of water, and is worn by divers, boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and others who work or play in or near cold or contaminated water. A dry suit normally protects the whole body except the head, hands, and possibly the feet. In hazmat configurations, however, all of these are covered as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trabecula</span> Tissue element that supports or anchors a framework of parts within a body or organ

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keel-billed toucan</span> Species of bird

The keel-billed toucan, also known as sulfur-breasted toucan, keel toucan, or rainbow-billed toucan, is a colorful Latin American member of the toucan family. It is the national bird of Belize. The species is found in tropical jungles from southern Mexico to Ecuador. It is an omnivorous forest bird that feeds on fruits, seeds, insects, invertebrates, lizards, snakes, and small birds and their eggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toco toucan</span> Species of bird

The toco toucan is a species of bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is the largest species of toucan and has a distinctive appearance, with a black body, a white throat, chest and uppertail-coverts, and red undertail-coverts. Its most conspicuous feature is its massive beak, which is yellow-orange with a black base and large spot on the tip. It is endemic to South America, where it has a wide distribution from the Guianas south to northern Argentina and Uruguay, and its range has recently been expanding southwards. Unlike other toucans, which inhabit continuous forests, toco toucans inhabit a variety of semi-open habitats at altitudes of up to 1,750 m. They are especially common in the Brazilian cerrado, gallery forests, and the wetlands of the Pantanal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal foam</span> Porous material made from a metal

In materials science, a metal foam is a material or structure consisting of a solid metal with gas-filled pores comprising a large portion of the volume. The pores can be sealed or interconnected. The defining characteristic of metal foams is a high porosity: typically only 5–25% of the volume is the base metal. The strength of the material is due to the square–cube law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact (mechanics)</span> Great force or shock applied over a short time period during a high-speed collision

In mechanics, an impact is when two bodies collide. During this collision, both bodies decelerate. The deceleration causes a high force or shock, applied over a short time period. A high force, over a short duration, usually causes more damage to both bodies than a lower force applied over a proportionally longer duration.

A football helmet is a type of protective headgear used mainly in gridiron football, although a structural variation has occasional use in Australian rules football. It consists of a hard plastic shell with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more plastic-coated metal bars, and a chinstrap. Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility, and some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect their eyes from glare and impacts. Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, except for non-tackle variations such as flag football. Although they are protective, players can and do still suffer head injuries such as concussions.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protective equipment in gridiron football</span>

Protective equipment in gridiron football consists of equipment worn by football players for the protection of the body during the course of a football game. Basic equipment worn by most football players include helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, shoes, and thigh and knee pads, a mouthguard, and a jockstrap or compression shorts with or without a protective cup. Neck rolls, elbow pads, hip pads, tailbone pads, rib pads, and other equipment may be worn in addition to the aforementioned basics. Football protective equipment is made of synthetic materials: foam rubbers, elastics, and durable, shock-resistant, molded plastic. Football protective equipment has remained consistent in use for decades with some slight modifications made over the years in design and materials. The assignment and maintenance of football gear belongs to the team equipment manager.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toucan</span> Family of birds

Toucans are Neotropical members of the near passerine bird family Ramphastidae. The Ramphastidae are most closely related to the American barbets. They are brightly marked and have large, often colorful bills. The family includes five genera and over 40 different species.

Biofoams are biological or biologically derived foams, making up lightweight and porous cellular solids. A relatively new term, its use in academia began in the 1980s in relation to the scum that formed on activated sludge plants.

References

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  16. ↑ "10 Technologies We Stole From the Animal Kingdom". Mental Floss. 2013-09-07. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
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