Toucan and Toucanette - Feeding

General information

Our knowledge of bird nutrition is constantly evolving. This is due to heightened awareness of the importance of nutrition plus increased research. As with all other animals, birds need a proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Toucans and toucanettes have a high moisture diet and a relatively short digestive tract, which make for a very quick transit time. This means your toucan or toucanette will eat a LOT and likely have frequent and often very loose projectile droppings. It is NOT uncommon to have blue droppings 15-20 minutes after eating blueberries!

Should I be concerned about what my toucans or toucanettes eat?

Nutrition is commonly neglected with pet birds. Too often owners assume they are feeding a proper diet to their toucans or toucanettes when in fact they are not. This is a common reason for many health problems. For example, hemochromatosis or iron storage disease has been linked to high dietary iron, high dietary vitamin C, and lack of tannins as well as hereditary factors. It is important to continually strive to improve your bird’s diet. This involves constantly educating yourself and a certain degree of common sense. It is not sufficient to feed a toucan or toucanette just to maintain life; instead, your goal should be to help it thrive and flourish. Your bird’s health depends on how well it is fed.

What do my toucans or toucanettes naturally eat?

Toucans and toucanettes are omnivorous. That is to say they are known to eat a variety of foods types including a multitude of fruits and berries plus (to a much lesser extent) lizards, rodents, small birds and an assortment of insects.

What should I feed my toucans or toucanettes?

Toucans and toucanettes do not chew their food into pieces like parrots and they do not have a crop for the storage of food therefore it is important food be presented in small easy to swallow, bite size pieces. Hemochromatosis or iron storage disease is a dietary concern for captive toucans and toucanettes. Current dietary recommendations are for diets low in iron.

Pelleted diets

Some pelleted bird diets have excessively high iron values that may contribute to Hemochromatosis or iron storage disease in toucans and toucanettes. Pellets should be less than 50ppm iron (ideally)

Fruits and vegetables

A large variety of diced fruits should be offered every day and should constitute a greater portion of the diet. A guideline is 1/2–1 cup per bird per day. Cut them into manageable pieces depending on the size of the bird and offer a fruit salad. Offer fruits in a separate dish. If your bird appears to develop a particular fancy for one food item, stop feeding it temporarily to promote the eating of other foods.

A small amount of various sliced, shredded or finely diced vegetables may be offered but this should NOT be a large part of a toucans and toucanettes diet. Pale vegetables, with a high water composition (i.e. iceberg or head lettuce, celery) offer very little nutritional value. Avocado is reported to be potentially toxic.

Water

Fresh clean water must be available at all times. Depending on the quality of your tap water, consider the use of bottled water. Dishes must be cleaned thoroughly every day with soap and water. With Toucans and Toucanettes, the water will be used to bathe in as well. Keep it clean.

What about other foods?

As a general rule any wholesome, nutritious food that you and your family eat, your bird can eat. Some birds even enjoy a small amount of hard boiled egg occasionally. Toucans and toucanettes may occasionally enjoy pinky mice or insects such as mealworms, wax worms, crickets and other insects (soft bodied insects are more nutritious). However, given the difficulties in controlling iron intake it is best to keep these to a minimum or only offer to growing/ breeding birds.

Do I need to use a vitamin-mineral mixture?

Does your bird need extra vitamins, minerals or amino-acids? These can be added depending on specific need (e.g. growth, breeding, etc.) it is best to consult a veterinarian for specific advice. Considering that most supplements provide a range of nutrients care must be taken not to add extra iron.