TOUCAN TROUBLE

Despite being some of the most iconic tropical birds on the planet, it is highly unlikely you will see a toucan in a UK pet shop.

From budgies and cockatiels to African greys and macaws, aviculture is bustling with exciting species that have become well established within the hobby. However, the iconic toucan species that possess many of the desirable traits in a pet bird have never reached the same heights of popularity in the UK. Frugivorous, widespread and visually striking, Exotics Keeper Magazine asks, “why don’t we see more toucans in the UK?”

Toucans, Toucanets and Aracaris

There are around 40 different species of toucan belonging to the Ramphastidae family. These include the smaller toucanets and aracaris. Found across Central and South America, most species will feed and nest exclusively in the forest canopy. Although most of these birds are of ‘least concern’ to the IUCN, almost every species of toucan, toucanet and aracari is facing a decline in population as a result of agriculture and infrastructure development.

The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) is without doubt, the most iconic of all toucans. With black and white plumage and a vibrant sunset beak, the Guinness poster boy is easily recognisable against other species of tropical birds. However, the keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulphuratus) is also popular in UK zoos as well as the smaller, more manageable green aracari (Pteroglossus viridus) and curl-crested aracari (Pteroglossus beauharnaesii)

With such a diverse spectrum of species, each requiring very specific husbandry needs, the term ‘toucan care’ is almost too broad to entertain. Yet, there are some distinct differences between toucans and parrots that makes the former, much more demanding than the latter.

Toucans vs Parrots

AMPLE ENCLOSURES

Toucans, especially the larger, more desirable species rarely sit still. Even the smallest toucanets can be arguably more inquisitive than many parrots. Unsatisfied with conventional parrot toys, toucans will constantly bounce around their environment searching for entertainment. While this can be very appealing for a while, the level of dedication required to fulfil the bird’s inquisitive nature can be far too exhausting for most keepers.

David Woolcock, Curator of Paradise Park continued: “A macaw could theoretically survive in a cage, it wouldn’t thrive but it would survive. A toucan, on the other hand, wouldn’t. A toucan needs a large, very well planted aviary as well as a heated, well lit, draft proof indoor enclosure too. The day length in the UK is much shorter than South America, so having a long photoperiod is crucial for toucans. The heating is also required to prevent illness. Nothing brings a bird down faster than the cold.”

Toucans and aracaris are much more popular in the US, particularly in southern states where the weather is much warmer. Keepers of aracaris will often keep the birds in large cages and let them into a ‘flight’ for exercise. This is not a luxury that UK keepers can facilitate and therefore, even the smallest species require a dedicated and professional enclosure.

Fussy And Frugivorous

Frugivorous birds are notoriously messy. Not only because their fruit filled diet is much less vacuumfriendly than seeds and grains, but because their droppings can only be likened to a Jackson Pollock painting. For the indoor aspects of their required enclosures, cleaning can prove to be extremely messy.

They are also notoriously fussy animals. Fresh tropical fruit needs to be provided twice a day, with keepers often reporting birds refusing their fruit without any noticeable reasoning. Keepers are also unable to store fruit as easily as grains, with seasonality also affecting food supplies.

Toucans will also throw food all over the enclosure, due to the size of their beak, which can attract pests. David continued: “Toucans are susceptible to lots of diseases, from iron storage disease as a result of poor diet to pseudotuberculosis. If they come into contact with mice or rats that are carrying harmful pathogens it can be very damaging for the bird.”

Paradise Park

With such a small number of toco toucans being successfully bred in captivity and with such a widespread distribution in the wild, toucans are often illegally trafficked between countries to meet demand. Paradise Park in Cornwall has recently received 27 birds which were seized in Belgium as a result of illegal trafficking across Europe. Two of these birds were toco toucans which David Woolcock, Curator of the park said “Although Europe has strict rules on exports, it is quite easy for a trafficker to take something over a border and export from another country. As a result, we have no idea where our toucans have come from, just that they have no leg tags. This suggests they were not captive bred and likely to fetch a large sum of money.”

“We accepted the birds knowing that the two toucans were in quite bad condition, with chronic foot problems. We’ve spent a lot of time working with our vet and its looking like they will come through this. In fact, after going through a moult, the pair look beautiful and we’re hoping that we can rear some chicks next year.”

Water dishes also provide some trouble. Being a ‘soft bill’ bird, toucans need to drink by capturing liquid in their huge beak before they can drink it, meaning water dishes need to be big enough to drink from. Anything big enough for a toucan to drink from is big enough to be bathed in and anything big enough to be bathed in is big enough to soil. This demands more regular water changes than species who will have a dedicated bath area.

Super Specialist

Finally, the obscurity of a pet toucan can mean appropriate care and advice is always further afield than parrots. Finding a vet that truly understands the specialist needs of toucans can prove troublesome.

David concluded: “I know some breeders in the Netherlands and others in Europe that do exceptionally well with toucans. They provide a superb diet and have brilliant enclosures leading to healthy birds. It’s a shame that these professionals are the exception. Toucans are such beautiful birds that deserve more than they usually get in captivity.”

Toucans in the wild

Seeing Toucans so rarely in capt`ivity, even in zoological institutions holds benefits not just for the birds, but for those interested in them. Holiday makers in Central America are often stunned by the