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by Dale David DeWald Silver Spring, Maryland

Channel-billed toucan are tropical, rain fore t ana can be found in the wild ofVenezuela, the Guiana Brazil Trinidad and other part of outh America. Flocks usually are found n ar ater ometime a mil abo e ea Ie el. Their branch-to-branch hopping b ha ­ ior in the wild tran lat into fun pet a they hop from arm to arm to perch to perch. Channel-bird can mak loud The channel-billed toucan. chirp but t picall are content b ounding rather oft 'clicks." I nev r These toucan are medium- ized to b dark blu or black" but other have heard one "talk' a a parrot might - about 20 inche in length. The color are add d: red on the brea t and but channel-bill are not common in bill range from fi to i inches but to rump ello in th neck, hite on the capti it . Young pet tame ea ily and me, appear to look much longer. The ch k and light blue around th e d light in human contact. channel-bill's body, tail, and bill appear and near the ba e of the bill.

36 February/March 1988 Housing escape. Because toucans are good flyers, bone or mineral block available, but I The cage or aviary must be large you may want to keep the primary, or think that it serves the purpose of enough to allow each channel-bill to flight feathers clipped so that your amusement only. Toucans like to play fully stretch its wings and neck without channel-bill cannot fly easily for more with toys, so safe parrot-type toys and a having any feathers touch its cage. A than ten feet. If you keep small birds mineral block may add something to relatively large (three feet long, two feet such as finches and parakeets, do not your pet's mental health. However, high, and about two feet wide) cocka­ leave your channel-bill alone with them toucans do not have to chew nearly to tiel-type cage would be fine; a smaller for even a few seconds. In fact, I had the extent ofparrots. cage would do if the bird gets out to one channel-bill that actually attacked a Vitamin and mineral supplements are exercise daily. Square-type (as opposed green winged . Fortunately, I extremely important. Some mynah bird to round) cages with non-toxic metal pulled the toucan away before the pellets are fortified. Liquid vitamins and bars, either horizontal or vertical, are macaw realized what was happening: minerals for the water dish may be used sure to last. Toucans typically do not the macaw would have won that fight as can some human-type drinks like climb about their homes as members of promptly' Gatorade. I prefer the powdered supple­ the parrot family do; as such, bar spac­ Food ments - they stick to the fruit well, ing and strength are not too critical. Although channel-bill toucans seem they usually are eaten, they typically are Good features for any cage would in­ to eat about everything, exact nutri­ not as expensive as the liquids, and they clude: a slide-out bottom tray that tional requi.rements are not known. should contain minerals, vitamins, and makes cleaning easy; at least two Therefore, variety is the key. Three basic other necessary supplements in one perches at different heights and of soft foods include: high quality canine convenient powder. Do not, however, different sizes such as 1.5 inches and 1 growth food soaked in water, parrot exceed the recommended amounts. If inch diameters (remember channel-bills chow soaked in water, and mynah bird in doubt consider the toucan to be like to hop, just the way most finches pellets soaked in water. One of these cockatiel-sized for supplement do); food and water cups that can be three should be available at all times, but purposes. serviced from the cage's outside; and, a please change the food every 12 hours Accident, Illness, and Health door that opens widely for your hand or at least every day so that harmful Locate one or more avain vets in your with the bird on it to enter and exit germs do not get the chance to grow vicinity before you need one! Purchase quickly. If you can build a ventilated and quickly in the food dish. Live food, such a bird care book that has been revised well lighted "box" around the cage as crickets or meal worms, will be within the last few years. Start to worry with just the front of the cage com­ taken, but be careful to be sure it is not if your channel-bill toucan has a sudden pletely exposed, you will cut down on contaminated. Mynah bird meal mois­ change in behavior such as sitting on your cleaning chores. Most toucans are tened with some fruit juice makes a nice the cage floor with ruffled feathers for extremely messy eaters and have loose treat as do the fruit flavored mynah bird long periods of time. Injuries such as droppings. A non-toxic epoxy paint on pellets. blood loss or a broken bone are your cage box again will aid in your Different fruits rotated daily are sug­ emergencies. sanitation tasks. gested. Save your seedless grapes for If you can do nothing else for your Location ,'showtime." Just about any toucan sick bird, gradually increase the heat Although channel-bills have a rather loves to catch and eat grapes tossed to and humidity (in a bathroom, for exam­ weak bite, they are best kept out of bill him by his human. Vegetables and fruits ple) and be sure to feed and water your reach (at least six inches) from other usually taken include: dark greens such pet. Supplements, including honey, birds, especially smaller as most as spinach or collards, chopped carrot, added to the drinking water may pro­ ofthe finches are, toxic plants, and any­ banana, sliced orange or grapefruit, and vide the energy burst needed until thing you do not want destroyed. In the chopped pear. Apples mayor may not professional assistance can be obtained. wild, toucans eat a variety of foods be eaten, but that applies to just about Nevertheless, a clean and safe environ­ including small birds and other . any food. Toucans cannot survive on a ment will payoff because the preven­ You also must protect your channel-bill seed diet and most nuts are too tough tion ofaccidents and sickness is cheaper from other household pets, drafts and for a soft bill. and better than the treatment. sudden temperature changes, direct Water It is generally believed that a pet sunlight except for a few hours each Provide a bath dish at the cage bot­ toucan can live more than 20 years in day, people noise (do not mount your tom or mist down your toucan almost captivity. This short article cannot cage on the top of your T.v. !), and con­ every day. Change any bird's drinking touch on every aspect of toucan keep­ stantly low or high temperatures. water every day. Check the water recep­ ing and there is much to be learned. Toucans will do very well between 65 tacle whenever you stroll by the cage ­ Therefore, please continue to support and 85 degrees F. most toucans drink quite a bit and love the American Federation of Aviculture to upset water dishes. Unless you live in and its member organizations such as Safety an area with an unusually poor water the National Finch and Softbill SOciet~ When your channel-bill is out of its quality, tap or well water at room cage utilize the same precautions as you temperature is fine. Orange County's newest & and largest bird gathering would with a parrot and with the place­ BIRD EXPO Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA ment of the cage. Provide a hopping Supplements FEBRUARY 28, 1988 area. Two parrot-type "T" stands within Grit, gravel, cuttlebones, and the like Open to the public- 9 am. to 3 pm. two feet ofeach other work well. Keep probably are not necessary for the Birds +Toys +Cages +Feed +Supplies +Paraphernalia all doors and windows locked, and health of a channel-bill. Once a week, (715) 776-5074 call (714) 495-7080 cover mirrors, windows, and other just in case, I sprinkle oyster shells in the Inquire about dealer display space. openings which may lead to injury or toucan's food; I usually have a cuttle- Bird Expo. P.O. Box 7477, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

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