Toucans?

[Violet_Diva]

I was just wondering if there are any active members who have toucans?
I've not seen any mentioned, and wondered why that might be...

Are they not as accessible as other birds?
Are they particularly difficult to care for?

Just curious...

 

[chris-md]

None that I’m aware of but if we have any lurkers who own them, I’d love to have hen introduce themselves

 

[Owlet]

Toucans are very expensive for the bird alone, that's probably why. Toucanettes are a bit cheaper but still in the thousands.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

As far as i know, there are not any members, there are however a couple of members with turacos, also some beautiful and interesting birds.

 

[riddick07]

You can find them if you look but they are expensive. I know one of the bigger species (forget which one they got) is $6,000. They need A LOT of room. They are a very active bird and need to be able to fly and bounce around. They are also an extremely messy animal. Liquid shooting poop and give themselves constant baths. So a bird few people should even consider.

The little guys like the aracaris though are easier to cage and own. Still cause ungodly messes but easier.

 

[Kiwibird]

Only one thing I need to know about toucans: They SHOOT poop Personally, I deal with enough bird crap as is, I don't need it sprayed on the walls etc... too:34: Plenty of others know this fact too, so add the specialized diet, the need for a true aviary and the price, it makes sense why few people want them.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Out in the public, I often hear "toucan".... where are people seeing these birds?

 

[Owlet]

Simple, froot loops.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Simple, froot loops.

yes they certainly are!

 

[Kiwibird]

I actually did think of a member with a toucan (not the kind of toucan on the cereal box though) - Terry57 has some kind of small toucan named Dactyl.

 

[SailBoat]

Only one thing I need to know about toucans: They SHOOT poop Personally, I deal with enough bird crap as is, I don't need it sprayed on the walls etc... too:34: Plenty of others know this fact too, so add the specialized diet, the need for a true aviary and the price, it makes sense why few people want them.

This truly brings together the foundation of why they are not widely 'enjoyed' as Companion Parrots. The one couple I knew that had one stated they are a joy to be around, but you have to be willing to clean and clean and clean.

 

[Terry57]

I actually did think of a member with a toucan (not the kind of toucan on the cereal box though) - Terry57 has some kind of small toucan named Dactyl.

Dactyl is a Bearded Barbet, and is in the Toucan family. Great memory, April
We had a Toco Toucan years and years ago. He came from the quarantine station in Florida way back in the bad old import days. During his capture, the top half of his beak had been destroyed. They put on a metal prosthesis to replace that part and painted it black. He had no trouble eating, and we named him Robobird. As time went on the paint they had used to cover his prosthesis scraped off in places and you could see the silver through it. He was a poop shooter, and in fact would aim for you.We ended up finding him a home with friends in an extra large aviary.

 

[Violet_Diva]

I actually did think of a member with a toucan (not the kind of toucan on the cereal box though) - Terry57 has some kind of small toucan named Dactyl.

Dactyl is a Bearded Barbet, and is in the Toucan family. Great memory, April
We had a Toco Toucan years and years ago. He came from the quarantine station in Florida way back in the bad old import days. During his capture, the top half of his beak had been destroyed. They put on a metal prosthesis to replace that part and painted it black. He had no trouble eating, and we named him Robobird. As time went on the paint they had used to cover his prosthesis scraped off in places and you could see the silver through it. He was a poop shooter, and in fact would aim for you.We ended up finding him a home with friends in an extra large aviary.

Wow - Robobird! That's amazing. Poop shooting doesn't sound so great It was one of the things that put me off lorries when I was first researching parrots. I find it amazing how their little bodies manage to grow such humongous beaks. What was Robobird like?

 

[riddick07]

Tocos! That’s what she bought two male siblings of....couldn’t remember the name! There was one other large toucan at the shelter that I can’t rememebr too. He is slightly smaller than the tocos but not by too much.

They stab you in the head with that beak or poop on your back while you are cleaning. The one would step up when he felt like it but you could usually rub his beak or scratch his head. The toco sibilings weren’t worked with so aren’t that great with the whole touching thing. Usually they would just bounce away from you but they are super curious and would wander/sneak back and then stab you lol. They also are pretty aggressive and would attack any bird that got close to their cage or tried to land on it. One of the lovebirds got out at night and into the toco cage and they killed him.