The scientific name for the Keel Billed Toucan is Ramphastos sulfurarus. They need a fresh bowl of fruit provided two times per day – a variety of fruits which must be chopped for them each morning. Too much of the time, I hear people declaring, “I want a toucan!” without knowing much of anything about toucans to begin with. In addition to prohibitions and restrictions on exotic pet ownership, the majority of states have some sort of permit, ... Zebra, cat hybrid, toucan, llama, alpaca, chinchilla, camel. They are fast, agile flyers and pretty fearless to boot â they will ⦠They don't chew like parrots do but they do enjoy chiseling away things such as soft wood. Though it looks heavy, it consists mainly of a hollow bone frame and keratin (the protein that makes up fingernails). I purchased them on cagesbydesign.com which you can check for pricing. Some of their behavior will mystify you, some of it will baffle you, some of it may downright annoy you. It is also possible to get one by trading with someone who has traded for one or achieved 400 stars. As for the dog, I imagine the bird could get used to it, but would likely get wound up by all the barking too. This means it has two toes pointing backwards and two forward. They also need a supplement of a low-iron protein source. She is considering a toucan as a future pet and wants to be aware of every angle before she commits her family to one. It spends most of its time hopping from tree to tree. Pingback: The 20 Most Expensive Animals in 2019 – The Best. Be prepared that the great majority of people you might hope to pet sit your toucan will either be too intimidated, not interested, not available, or otherwise unreliable. Toco Toucans as pets. Toco Toucans do however require spacious cages to hop back and forth from because of their active nature and require toys in their cage to prevent boredom. Tocos are the largest and also are very rare as pet birds in the U.S. Keep in mind that there are many types of toucans and some of the above may not necessarily apply to all species. From what I have seen they do not make as much noise as a macaw who wants attention. They use their loud call to warn other toucans about potential dangers. Whether you plan to house your toucan indoors or out, it will require a much larger enclosure than one designed for a comparably-sized parrot. Still on the fence as to weather my wife and I, both with 9to5 jobs would be able to do the bird right. These birds have not been domesticated over the years like cats and dogs. Toucans still possess a very wild spirit, often only a generation or two separation from their native counterparts. Toucans are exotic animals that require special attention when considering their diet, housing and compatibility with other animals. What level of experience do you need have one, and how big should it’s sanctuary be? If you travel a lot or take extended holidays away from home, a toucan is probably not for you. It takes a special niche of person capable of taking on the full responsibility of your toucan’s care in your absence, which is definitely not as simple as coming in to give fresh kibble once a day. Owls Need Lots of Space . Recently, a woman named Tasha requested a blog post about some of the downsides of toucan ownership. Toucans, however, are very uncommon pets. In some places anyone that discovers a nest is deemed its owner and is entitled to sell the birds within. But now I know better…. Cultural Impact. Many Toucans suffer times of hardship and loneliness at the hand of Toucan breeders who are not sensitive to proper care. The Guinness bird in the Guiness advertising is a Toco Miniature Toucans are called Toucanettes. The Keel billed toucan has black plumage on most of its body but a bright yellow on its chest and cheeks. And remember – what goes in, comes out and their favorites – blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries – have staining power on the clothing and furniture you hold most dear. Toucans are not a domesticated animal and will not behave as such Dogs and cats have been domesticated for centuries and have been specifically bred to enhance their behavioral characteristics to make them more suitable as human companions. You must have a large budget to even consider one of these birds for a pet. The 20 Most Expensive Animals in 2019 – The Best, Toucans vs Parrots as Pets – A Candid Interview. They will sit on your shoulder, cuddle in your lap, and when contented will purr like a ⦠(LIKE A PUPPY?!) Males are usually larger than the females. Canned or frozen fruits are not adequate. I feel that if I am going to blanket the internet with endearing toucan photos and videos, it is also my responsibility to share the full picture of what it really means to share your life with a toucan. It will, however, also eat insects, tree frogs, eggs and lizards when available. However, parrots are not the only type of bird kept as pets. Permits required for import, transport, possession of animals listed in §671. Dogs and cats have been domesticated for centuries and have been specifically bred to enhance their behavioral characteristics to make them more suitable as human companions. There is still some danger from hunters who kill the birds for their meat and to collect their colorful tail feathers or beaks to sell. Basically, parrots are easier to manage and are less of a hassle than toucans. You will have to budget for your toucan’s food, toys, and veterinary care for the duration of his life. They are usually only a generation away from being in the wild and their behavior reflects this. Toucans that are hand-fed make the best pets/companion birds. The Toucan is a pet in Adopt Me! This may aid the perception that toucans are "zoological animals" and are not suitable as private household pets. Find Toucans for Sale on Oodle Classifieds. It is four to six inches long or nearly one third of the toucan’s total body length. It has recently been discovered that their beaks also act as way for the toucan to regulate its body temperature. Toucans are not a domesticated animal and will not behave as such. Photo by Francesco Veronesi on Flickr. I am thoroughly entranced with these creatures, seeing them frequently in the wild – and I had thought about having one or more always at hand. The upside is that this feeling is a constant motivator to keep trying harder to make things “more perfect” but the downside is that they still have such a wild spirit and will never be able to live the life they were made for – flying free in their natural habitat. Like other toucans, the Keel toucan eats a diet that consists mostly of fruit. It tosses its food into the air and then catches it. I think this is commendable and a truly responsible approach. The benefits of toucan ownership are great, so long as you are willing to provide the care and commitment they require. While adorably charming creatures, there is so much more to living with a toucan besides the cute face and goofy personality. Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Kent, WA With: Toco Toucan "Rocko" It has been 9+ months since we lost our Swainson Toucan, Fiji, and with our new Toco Toucan Rocko, I realized how much research I did with having Fiji and just how different having a toucan as a pet is from having a pet ⦠Toucans are very social birds who do not like to spend long stretches of time without interaction. Toucans as Pets Many people enjoy owning toucans as pets due to their intelligence and unique appearance. Setting up the large cage, buying toys, providing fresh fruit on a daily basis, getting medical care when needed can be expensive. It has a circle of green around its eyes and bright red feathers under its tail. Although their massive bills are useful, they donât often make ⦠Toucans and Aracaris do not usually care much for typical bird toys. If you decide to adopt a toucan, consider the above challenges as they apply to your life not just now, but for the next two decades. The toucans are, due to their unique appearance, among the most popular and well known birds in the world. They are friendly, cuddly, playful, intelligent and curious about their surroundings. However, the emerald toucanet is a popular toucan pet due to its quiet nature, size, and adorable looks. They still have their many positive qualities, but wanting to run their own personal zoo as I do is not one of them. Toucans can make excellent pets. Not many people have what it takes to take on a toucan, even if it’s only for a week. He is gentle but makes a lot of noise are they ok with that? The keel helps disperse fruit seeds throughout the rain forest thus helping the ecosystem produce new fruit trees. Toucans poop. They also fling their fruit in the air when they eat – some of it makes it into their mouth, some of it doesn’t. Because of its broad, heavy wings the Keel toucan, like other toucans, can only fly short distances. Toucans make excellent pets. When pulled from the nest and hand fed as babies they can eventually become pets. As with most aspects of life, everything with toucans is a trade-off. Thanks so much for the insight and honesty in this thread. It will most likely not even sit in one spot for more than 10 minutes. The emerald toucanet is a small toucan from Central America. that can be obtained from the Star Rewards and is classified as an Ultra-Rare pet and requires 400 stars to unlock. The Keel Toucan is the national bird of Belize and tourists often visit just to get a glimpse of the beautiful birds. Toucans do not grow the white default wings when they are flown since they are a type of bird. They poop a lot. There is no manual on toucan behavior. This is so well thought through and beautifully written. A toucan will not sit on a foraging tree like a parrot and work at toy for any extended period of time. As Pets. Larger birds, such as hawks, are a danger to toucans as well as wild cats. The Keel-billed Toucan is the national bird of Belize. Toucans are also messy (see below) and need to be cleaned up after daily to maintain good hygiene. I have very few “animal people” as friends. In contrast, the emerald toucanet is relatively shy as compared to the traditional toucans. In fact, it is evident that many people are not even aware that they can be kept as pets or are even legal to own, even though toucans are likely legal in most, if not all the mainland states. They make their nest in the hollows of trees and often share this nest with other birds. If you are someone who has a full-time job and is away from home 8+ hours per day, you will need assistance in caring for your toucan for the times you are away. But the toucan costs I am referring to here are more about the ongoing expenses of having a toucan. Your friends will not understand why you have to be home at highly-specific times to care for your toucan, nor will they understand why you are devoting so much of your life to a bird. Be prepared to get kick-back when you have to bow out of activities and spontaneous weekend getaways because you have to take care of your toucan. Even some of the best avian veterinary specialists out there do not have any experience with toucans and are often forced to base their medical decisions and advice on their experience with other birds. What makes the toucan particularly unique is its large, oversized bill, which also comes in a variety of colors. Your email address will not be published. We have given our birds cut sections of dried Agave flower stems and they love cleaning out the soft center. Your email address will not be published. Toucans must also be provided with a variety of toys for mental stimulation and enrichment – this is NOT an option. Let me preface this by saying that I love my Three-Cans an indescribable amount and I wouldn’t trade them for anything, including to have my personal time back – the time I used to spend reading, with friends, and otherwise working towards my myriad of goals. Toucans are very intelligent and have the capacity to learn, it’s their limited attention span that slows your progress. Toucans are popular among a smaller subset of avian enthusiasts. No matter where your toucan lives, be prepared to spend time cleaning up after them everyday. Why Toucan Adoption Is the Best Option. The Keel Toucan is not considered the best pet for a variety of reasons. However, like all wildlife in the rain forest, it will suffer if its natural habitat continues to be destroyed. Young birds stay with their parents for several months until they are able to care for themselves. They make lousy pets, are very loud, hard to feed nutritiously for the species, and their defication is done sideways at speed (the clean up around the cage can go up to 9 feet from the sides). There is still so much we humans do not fully understand about toucans from ideal nutrition and care, to how to protect against their silent killer – Hemochromatosis, the iron storage disease they are highly susceptible to. The Keel Toucan is the national bird of Belize and tourists often visit just to get a glimpse of the beautiful birds. How to Tell When a Toucan Wants To Be Pet! Prepare to approach each day with a scientific curiosity and patience, knowing that your toucan was not designed to live in your world. The beak is green and orange with a tip of red and blue. For example, if you’re looking for a Toco toucan baby akin to Paco, Paz, and Pepe, expect an estimated $10,000 investment. I consistently wish I could provide them with more freedom, more space, more attention, more toys, more interesting activities…the list will always go on. They are not legal in every country, or even in every U.S. state, but can be kept in some places with a special license or zoological certificate. Most/many of your friends will not understand. They like to play with toys and with their owners and will give you hours of wonderful companionship. Toucans also need specially formulated, low-iron pellets which you may need to ship in, as they are not readily available everywhere. As I have already repeatedly mentioned, toucans require a lot of time and patience to care for on a daily basis. Its popular names include the Rainbow Billed Toucan and the Sulfur Breasted Toucan. Toucans are not like having a dog, yet all of your friends will compare your experience to that, as that is all many of them have experienced firsthand. It does well if it’s given the proper environment and space. They will lay two to four eggs in a nest in a tree. Maybe we can talk more in the future. The legal animals are listed, and all others are prohibited. How do they do with a small dog that barks a lot? Their feather like tongue is long and agile and they use it to catch lizards and insects. If you plan to allow your toucan out in your home, be prepared for it to demand full run of the house. But I have a question. You will always try your best to provide the optimum care possible with the information available to you, but if you’re like me, you will always worry that we’re all doing it wrong. A website devoted to toucans and how to care for them as pet birds. Your toucan’s needs must be made a priority and often times, that requires sacrifices on your part that most others cannot relate to. I think. Breeders offering Toucans for sale sometimes wean young too soon to increase profits, this will harm the a Toucan as they need to learn how to find food and feed on their own. You'll notice that 5 AAC 92.029. We have the financial ability but the time away concerns me a bit. Your life may change unexpectedly and you certainly cannot predict every bump along the road, but your commitment to your toucan must remain at the forefront for his lifetime. Guess what? Posted: (1 days ago) Toucans can be much more difficult to manage in a house with multiple people/pets and are challenging to train and socialize. Welcome to Pettoucan.com. While I do have Three-Cans instead of one, it is important to understand that even one will require hours of your time each and every day. All our birds are raised in the USA, outdoors year round in a natural environment. Because of its interesting appearance the Keel-billed toucan is popular in zoos. To help you make an informed decision for your toucan future, I have compiled a list of some of the challenges of toucan ownership based on my experiences with our Toco toucans, as well as conversations I have had with other fellow toucan companions. Our last Drs Foster & Smith toy order we purchased for the Three-Cans was well over $400. There are so few resources on toucans and because of this, they are even more difficult to care for than a parrot. I’m not here to be a kill-joy or to say that a toucan is not right for you. I have 2 Cockatiels, and a Conure, as well as a Budgie. They are incredible creatures, but I would recommend against it. They throw their food in the air and don’t catch it all. It is the second pet you can get from the Star Rewards, after the Ginger Cat. Both parents protect the eggs until they are hatched and then care for the chicks. Not only are they beautiful and smart, but they are also very playful and affectionate animals. For the most part, Toucans do not make good pets. Toucans need a constant supply of fresh fruit and cheaper cheats such as canned or frozen will not cut it. Across their native range they were hunted for food and also kept as pets, and their plumage and bills were used for decorations. It can be heard half a mile away. Few people will be willing/able to care for your toucan in your absence. No matter where you move in the future, you will need to ensure you have enough space for your toucan’s appropriately-sized enclosure. If you’re like me, looking at your bird in captivity will always make you feel conflicted and guilty and this is just a feeling you will have to learn to live with. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering adding a toucan to your life…, Caring for a toucan takes up a lot of your time everyday (yes, even Saturdays…). Though the Keel lives in the upper part of the trees it will occasionally swoop down for low fruit or to search the underbrush for lizards.