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Toucan
From the largest of the Toucans, the Toco and Keel Bill, to their smaller cousins the Green Aracari and Emerald Toucanet, all Toucans are extremely beautiful, fascinating birds. They can offer much enjoyment to aviculturists either as a pet or as a breeding pair. From those who chose to house a handraised Toucan in a large indoor aviary, to those who keep pairs in large outdoor flights, there are many ways to enjoy Toucans.
All Toucans originate from Mexico, Central and South America and are a family that has been vanishing from American aviculture. One by one, species are gone. Those that just a few short years ago you could find easily and cheaply are now gone. Have you seen any Ariel Toucans for sale lately ? How about Citron Throated ? Cuvier's ? The list goes on and on and on.
Toucans make excellent pets. They are friendly, cuddly, playful, intelligent and curious about their surroundings. They like to play with toys and with their owners and will give you hours of wonderful companionship. They will sit on your shoulder, cuddle in your lap, and when contented will purr like a kitten.
Toucans have many advantages over parrots as pets. They do not scream or make other obnoxious, loud noises. Since their beaks are not powerful, they cannot bite hard and, in fact, have difficulty squeezing a grape. They also cannot chew furniture or other objects of value. They do not have feather dander, like cockatoos, and will not "dust up" the house.
Toucans are tireless entertainers that can be taught a variety of tricks. Disney World's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida has several of our Toco Toucans in their free flight bird show. These birds have been taught to fly out into the audience to retrieve dollar bills and to chase grapes thrown into the air. The repertoire of tricks a toucan can learn is surprising, surpassing even the parrots.
Care and planning should be given to the purchase of a toucan. If a pet quality bird is desired, a handfed youngster is the most suitable. Toucans make excellent pets. They are very intelligent, alert, and curious. They can easily be taught tricks, including rolling over, playing catch with a small ball, free flying and taking objects from one person to another, etc. They are as trainable as a parrot and only your imagination will determine the limits of their capabilities. Pet toucans also will gladly ride around on your shoulder. They love to be scratched on the back of the head, and will enjoy cuddling just like a cockatoo. About the only thing a pet toucan cannot do that a parrot can, is to learn how to talk. This is probably a blessing, since they incapable of making loud, obnoxious noises.
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