Toucans, Part I, Tropical Rainforest Dwellers

Along with their love of fruit, toucans do require protein, which is not supplied in a sufficient amount by this diet staple. They rely on protein that is absorbed from consuming eggs, baby birds, spiders, snakes, lizards, and insects. Toucans build their nests in hollow trees, much like their distant cousin, the woodpecker. They dig into the trunk of the tree anywhere from 1-2 feet (0.3048-0.6096 m) deep. Although it sounds uncomfortable, the toucans sleep in small crevices by twisting and folding their bodies to fit. Their heads wrap around and rest on their backs, while their tail folds up against the breast and their wings wrap around their entire body.

Female toucans lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs once per year, which are incubated by both parent birds. The eggs are white in color, and the incubation period lasts from 15 to 20 days. Once the young birds hatch, their development is slow, and it takes several months for their bills to grow to full size. Both parents feed the chicks a high protein diet consisting of insects, rodents, and small reptiles. Between the ages of 8 and 9 weeks, the young birds will begin to take care of themselves using the new survival skills that they have learned from their parents.

Toucans are sometimes associated with evil spirits, and are believed by some Central and South Americans, to be the incarnation of the devil! A South American form of magick known as 'couvade', teaches that fathers of newborn children must not eat toucan flesh because of its ability to bewitch the new baby. According to the legend, the new child would simply fade away.

Born and raised in the Tropical rainforests, toucans have an important place and purpose in the complex ecological system. But the adaptable toucan is also known to make an interesting, intelligent, and highly entertaining pet.

Next week: Toucans, Part II, Domestic House Pets

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