Mazuri is a fabulous pellet - especially the low iron for these types of birds. You're like me - when I go to stores, I always look at what they are feeding their birds! It's funny (actually enlightening) that we will spend $8.00 a pound on food for our kids but turn down the sale on filet mignon for $6.00 a pound for us, isn't it?

Kathie, do you guys keep the toucans clipped or flighted? Just curious. Jan posting about how they hop around had me wondering. I would love the chance to see one of these guys in person.

They are fully flighted. IMO, it would be horrible to clip them. They sometimes fly, but usually hop. One has a new activity where he jumps through a big hoop! Their cage is only about 7-8 feet long, so it doesn't give them enough room to really fly.

Sits here wondering what one of my guys would do with a double macaw cage 7-8 feet wide. HEAVEN!
We were looking at the double wide cage off to the side, and wishing we first had the room and second could afford it.

They were framed, I say, FRAMED.....by the Eclectus!

Seriously, some Touc folks I've chatted with talk about putting down drop cloths in the house and having very large aviary type enclosures. I guess it's like anything else, when you're smitten, all the hard work and special care is completely worth it.

I really admire the people who understand these gorgeous birds and go all out for their care and wellbeing! It's so great that chat boards like this and the internet in general can connect people to good information on the species and their care.

Thanks for your appreciation and thurst for knowledge. That's what these sites ARE all about, right?

These birds are probably THE most species specific (aside from Lories) regarding diet. Their diet is so key to their good health and well-being. It is a MUST that these birds get fresh fruits every day. It is not a hit or miss thing.
Also, the pellets are important. Some brands (won't mention for obvious reasons) allege to be low iron but they really aren't. This can cause hemochromotosis in these birds. There is really no test for it and once it hits, it is difficult to diagnose and treat.

I love watching them. I am making huge progress with one of them. He almost flew to my arm today!!!

I saw these guys for the first time a few months ago at Bird Paradise and they are incredible. I have a friend that went to the store just to see them becuase he had never seen one before.

I will admit they are very intimidating at first. They are so active and fast with their hopping and the beaks are huge! I was very cautious about how close I got to them.

Thanks for posting the details on them. It has been fun to read about them and learn specifics about them instead of just staring at them in awe.

Hi Kathie, I was just reading thru some old posts as I am somewhat new here. Do you have a bird store in N.J.? Where? I am from Jersey.
A friend of mine back in Jersey has had her Toucon for years. She would always mention to me how messy it was. She said it would fling fruit out of its cage all the time and it would land all over the walls. She woud have to actually scrape it off her walls. And yes I remember her saying all the fruit she had to feed it. They are truly beautiful birds though.