Toucans and Touracos
Instantly recognized because of a popular breakfast cereal, toucans can make interesting and animated pets. There are four commonly available toucans.
The toco (Ramphastos toco) is distinguished by its black body, white bib and bright blue eye ring. The bill is predominantly golden orange with a large black spot at the end. The toco is approximately 22 inches long with a 10-inch-long bill. This is the most popular of the toucans.
The red bill (R. tucanus), approximately 20 inches long, is predominantly black with a white bib, ending in a rim of red around the bib. The bill is black with dark red in the middle of each mandible.
The keel bill (R. sulfuratus), approximately 16 inches long, has a black body, yellow bib and red vent. The bill is unusual with its bright yellow, pastel green and red at the tip.
The channel bill (R. vitellinus) has a black body with a white and yellow bib. The bill is solid black except for a blue band close to the face. The channel bill is approximately 18 inches long.
Touracos are colorful birds commonly kept in aviaries. The two most common species are red crests (Tauraco erythrolophus) and white crests (T. leucolophus). These birds have bodies of varying shades of green. The most obvious differences are their namesake crests.
These birds are part of the softbill family, despite the fact that their bills are definitely not soft. Their bills are also not as heavy as they look; they are made from a porous honeycomb type material and are very sensitive. Hand-fed toucans can make tame and loving pets, and may live up to 20 years. Toucans do not talk, instead they make a croaking-type sound, or they make a purring-like sound when they are contented.
Even though this group of birds is from the tropics, they need shade, especially if temperatures go above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In that case, it is even more important that these birds receive showers or have a bathing dish. If you keep a single toucan in a cage, a large macaw cage of at least 4 feet long is appropriate. If you keep the birds in an aviary, consider one 7 by 10 by 7 feet. Keep in mind that these are extremely active birds that need plenty of room and perches to jump and run.
A toucan’s diet is comprised of softbill pellets, fruits (avoid all citrus fruits) and vegetables — no seed. There is some debate as to whether toucans need live food (crickets, mealworms, etc.). Another protein source is chopped hard-boiled eggs.
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