Totally Toucan Talk
The toucan community, as you might imagine, is a small one. Over the years I have made some very close friends, some of whom I’ve never even met. But, they are my biggest support system when it comes to the triumphs, the treasures, and the pitfalls of owning a pet toucan. Recently, some of my close friends have experienced the loss of their pet toucan. My heart truly was broken[…]
Toucans and Diet Toucans are subject to iron storage disease or hemochromatosis. Therefore they need a low-iron diet. Following a strict diet is necessary to ensure toucans’ longevity in captivity. Many years ago toucans would often perish from hemochromatosis from diets that had too much iron. Luckily, this is no longer the case. Breeders, zoos, and pet owners have learned through sharing information with one another about what a proper[…]
If you are like me, I’m a sucker for any animal in need. Tell me it’s a toucan and you have my full attention! Meet Twizzy! ToukitheToucan rescued Twizzy. She is a two-year-old black-necked aracari and she needs your help! Twizzy has a beak deformity, essentially her beak is twisted. It is unknown what the true cause of her beak deformity is from, it could’ve been from trauma or from[…]
The day had finally come after waiting for nearly a year and a half to get our male Curl Crested Aracari. We had his name picked out all this time, Niko! During the ride to the airport, my stomach was in knots. While I was so happy for him to come, I was as nervous as could be. All the what if’s: What if he and Bella don’t get along? […]
Target training is considered one of the building blocks of training animals. Once it is learned it can lead to the shaping of many other behaviors. Many zoos and aquariums teach this skill as the first skill an animal learns. Zoos and aquariums use target training to do all kinds of things including voluntary blood draws! Can you imagine an animal volunteering to get its blood drawn! It is all[…]
Are you worried about the avian flu and how to protect your companion bird? Me too, and so are a lot of my bird friends! Just when you think we will get back to normal after COVID we get another strike in the gut. This time not for us, but for our birds! Properly known as avian influenza, it is starting to cause alarm for many bird owners including myself. […]
“What happened to my baby?” Spring Fever Tips for Toucans The flowers are popping up, the birds are chirping in the morning, what is there not to love about spring? Springtime can be a welcomed relief for many. The warmer weather and longer daylight hours make many of us feel renewed and excited to say goodbye to winter. However, for many bird owners springtime can be the beginning of a[…]
When I first got my emerald toucanet, Yoshi, there was only one expert in the field of toucans. His name is Jerry Jennings and he is considered by many people to be an expert for a reason. Jerry has decades of experience with toucans both in captivity and in the wild. He was the first to breed toucans in the United States and the founder of Emerald Forest Bird Gardens. […]
In Honor of Betty White: A Donation to the Toucan Rescue Ranch The Toucan Rescue Ranch is located in Costa Rica and its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife native to Costa Rica back to their natural habitat. It is a rescue facility that was established in 2004. Among some of the patients that are seen at the facility are sloths, parrots, owls, and of course they specialize[…]
Easy foraging idea #1…