Keel Billed Toucans

[3Parrots]

A couple questions:

I've heard it's okay/it's not okay to clip their wings. Any thoughts either way? I know they hop - and if a cage is equipped with many levels they can hop where they want?

I've heard they have a 'purr' when you sit with them, is that true?

Does anyone own a Keel Billed? What would be the top 3 things associated with them?

[Monica]

I can't really say I know much about toucans, although the bird store near me used to have one and once boarded a toucan of the same species (I believe). IMO though, it'd probably be best for the toucan to have full flight, and instead of a cage, to have an aviary with branches placed at various levels so that they can hop/fly around. When I say aviary, I mean something that's at least 4' x 3' minimum, preferably bigger. I just don't think a cage would be good enough for a toucan, even if they were let out.

I don't really know about purring though... hopefully though someone with some actual toucan experience will come along and give you more details!

[amramp005]

Hi,
I keep & breed this species for over 6 years now.
I do think you NEVER clip a toucan's wings. If you do, they will try to fly and dammage there beaks extensively. Beaks easily breake.
Handreared they make good pets. BUT !!!
They need a big cage, better an aviary of at least 7feet long and high and3 feet deep. Best not use a wire cage. make sure back and sides are full pannels, why i explane later.
All toucans are fruit eating birds, wich means that they realy **** all over the place. It's sticky and goes even on your sealing! Cages should be cleaned at least every 2 days. They are very subseptable to iron storage desease, wich means you can not only feed them pelet food (too much iron). Their main diet consists of; papaya, cantelope, banana, pear and apple. They eat appr. their weigth on fruit per day = app. 400-450 grams for the Keelbill.
However, they are very playfull birds and need a lot of attention when kept as a pet. The cage size mentioned is for 1 bird only, dont keep more than one as they will get jelous of each other and figth and can kill eachother!
They are as loveble and playfull as macaws, can purr but also be very noisy (like a porrot). They can not be potty trained like parrots as they have a very fast digestive system. Most love the compaionship of all familly members and can inflict nasty bites if they don't get it their way.
They can make very good pets if you have experiance with larger birds and can spend a lot of time with them.

Any more questions, just ask.

Picture shows my wife with a young keelbill about to fledge.

Toucbird, Belgium, Europe

[Bagwellfan]

How are the edges of the beaks shaped? I think, if I am correct they eat softer foods?

How long is incubation? How many eggs? Does Dad help?

[Click]

I'm also curious about their beak shape.

[lovingbirdsright]

Yes, having ample horizontal flight space is essential,and don't forget to create a double door leaving and entering the aviary. I am looking for someone to sell Keel bill pair for me to breed. I know of the famous breeders in California but wondered if anyone is closer to the east coast?
thanks
kc

[birdsnreps]

For the member looking for a toucan to breed, have you checked out Jerry jennings?? hes near san diego i believe. i dont really agree with the way he runs his aviaries, but i will say that hes probably got the best collection of rare birds, mostly toucans. hes very knowledgable and has great success breeding his birds. but, if i were to buy a toucan, and i do plan on doing so, im gonna try to get my toucans from Amado Summers. Hes a very nice guy, very knowledgeable and he takes great care of all his birds by himself, and his family, no staff. and even though i would LOVE to see his birds, his aviaries are closed to the public, unlike Jerry's. Amado is out of country right now and will be until the early spring time. Amado has what he calls solar aviaries, and he puts lots of plants and waterfalls in his breeder flights. Ill get the links so you can check out their websites. they both sell breeder birds, you just have to call or email and ask what they have:

here is amado's site:

Toucans SummersBirds.com

this is jerry's site:

Toucans EmeraldForestBirds.com

[Riley0527]

Thanks for the info, I knew not to clip the wings. It's nice to have someone with more knowledge than me regarding toucans. We rescued a chestnut mandible about three months ago from a woman who was keeping her in her garage with about 20 rabbits. I have her in a huge flight cage with several different staggered perches and several toys.

What are the best type of toys for them to have?

[birdsnreps]

well, my hornbill loves rope, bells, twine, small-med acrylic beads (make sure your bird cannot swallow them), and some softer dog-type toys. obviously they wont care for wooden blocks like parrots. they will play with anything really, just make sure they cannot be eaten, and they especially love brightly colored rings and toys that make noise.

im looking for either a swainsons or a channel-billed toucan sometime during spring when we get my toucan, she/he will have the same diet as my hornbill, so we already have that part down. i cant wait to find my toucan!!

[Riley0527]

Thanks for the suggestions on toys. I noticed she likes to play with shinny bells, I'll have to try some other toys. I'll take some pictures of her today. We've got a sunny day so the pictures should come out good.