My name is Chrissann and I am “The Toucan Lady”. My boyfriend David and I are the primary caregivers for three adult Toco toucans, which we adopted in June 2011. We live on a little island in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean and adventure is most definitely the best way to describe the years we have spent with our toucans thus far.
I had never owned a bird prior to the toucans, but had always been a lover of all animals from bunnies, to dogs, cats, lizards – you name it. My list of dream pets was always growing! However, until recently, birds were never on my radar – simply for the fact that I had never spent much time with any. Years ago, David used to breed and raise macaws. It was his stories of their intelligence and charming personalities that initially piqued my interest.
A couple of years ago, on our vacation in Columbia, I met my first toucan. Sitting in a beautiful restaurant’s tropical atrium, a Keel-Billed toucan named Clarita swooped down from the trees, landed on our table, and proceeded to steal the mint straight out of my mojito! I was hooked. It became a dream of mine to share my life with a toucan, albeit a fanciful one. I figured it would be unlikely that I would ever truly own a toucan – let alone so soon, let alone three! But fate stepped in and presented us with the opportunity to adopt our three toucans, who were already in our part of the world and in need of a new home – one we are beyond delighted to provide.
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
I originally created this site as a personal blog to document and share our experiences as “toucan newbies”. In the beginning, there was so much to learn about these mysterious creatures, every day brought a new discovery. There was (and still continues to be) very little information to be found on proper toucan care online, or even in publication. Over the years, motivated by wanting to provide my own Three-Cans with the best life possible, I have passionately pieced together any credible information I have been able to find through a mix of connecting with zookeepers, veterinarians, breeders, fellow toucan owners, and my own firsthand experience.
This site is my attempt to help fill the void and provide an honest, unbiased account of what it’s really like to have toucans as pets and how to properly and ethically care for toucans in captivity. I say “unbiased” because I am not a breeder and do not have any vested interest in convincing anyone to own toucans. Unfortunately, I have seen toucan breeders all too frequently glaze over the realistic details of toucan ownership in an attempt to sell birds by making it seem much easier/simpler/cheaper than it actually is. This sets both the toucans and potential owners up for failure – a sad reality I have witnessed myself several times.
Please keep in mind that the information I provide here is simply the best knowledge that I have available to me at any given time. I don’t profess to be an all-knowing toucan wizard, I just want to provide the facts as I have them because I believe information should be free – especially when it comes to the well-being of animals. If you have experience with toucans and have any useful knowledge that you would like to add (or any corrections to information I have provided), please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Please feel free to post your questions and comments throughout this site. If you would like to contact me directly, you may at toucanlady@adventuresintoucanland.com .
Hi I love your videos but I do have a question. Do you take the toucans out of the aviaries? And how do they not fly away? Thanks
– Jaimie
Hi Jaimie,
When I take the toucans out of their aviaries, they ride in a specially designed backpack carrier for safety. 🙂
Chrissann
Hello Chrissann,
Just saying hello. I’m not looking for a toucan because I live in Connecticut — not the best place from Amazonian birds. But, my name, Tocantins, means the bill of a toucan, so toucans are very special to me. So glad I found your blog.
Cheers!
Meg Tocantins
What an awesome last name, Meg – I’m jealous!! Thanks for stopping by the site and for dropping a note – so lovely to e-meet you 😉
Okay never mind on my other question lol. That’s awesome! That must’ve scary to take on three all at once!
Thank you, Margaret – yes, a little overwhelming at first, for sure! 😉
Hi my name is ben and I am thirteen years old. I have been looking into toucans as pets for a while and I have done tons of research. My only problem is convincing my parents what wonderful pets they make if you can take care of them I need your help to know what to tell them. Please help me ASAP. thanks.
Hi Ben,
I really do NOT recommend the large species of toucans as pets for many reasons. Have you read the article, “So You Think You Want a Toucan” on this site? Perhaps that might help answer a few more of your questions. Toucans are a major responsibility and I can understand your parent’s hesitation. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me at toucanlady@adventuresintoucanland.com and I can try to help clarify my reasoning for you.
Best wishes,
Chrissann
do not tell people where to buy birds. do not give people tips on buying birds. preferably, stop owning birds altogether. these are intelligent animals that belong in the wild; trade in exotic pets like parrots and toucans is extremely inhumane.
I agree and do not recommend or promote people buying toucans as pets. We rescued our birds out of a bad situation and I so wish they were able to live their lives in the wild. My intention here is to share our experiences, not to perpetuate the trade of exotic species.
Hello Chrissann – Real Pretty Toucans! Can you tell me where a reputable place in southern california that may have Toucans for Sale? Can you point me in the right direction for the care of these beautiful creatures? Are they messy? How do you potty train them ? 🙂
Thank you
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for your note. The only breeder I am aware of in CA is Emerald Forest Bird Gardens. That being said, I don’t recommend the larger species of toucans as pets for MANY reasons. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have via email. If you’d like, you can reach me at toucanlady@adventuresintoucanland.com
Chrissann
I read that you rescued 3 toco toucans from bad homes (bird adoption) place instead of buying them and were wondering how you do that and if there are any place in the northeastern USA? Also I read your “so you think you want a toucan” post or whatever its called, lol. Thanks. if possible please message me at RyanPKandFreerunner@gmail.com or my youtube account TheSwoopingFalcon64
I volunteer at a bird rescue is Wakefile RI called Lazicki’s Bird house and Rescue. If you are serious about adopting we currently have about 80 parrots looking for homes. Every day we post training videos on our facebook site https://www.facebook.com/grammiecracker
Theres more info about to adopt on their website: lazibird.org
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for your note. While I am all for “adopt not shop” I am not currently looking to add any more birds to our flock. But I appreciate the link and will definitely check it out!
Best wishes to you,
Chrissann
Hello Toucan Lady,
My kindergarten son has a school project on habitats and has chosen to study the Toucan. I was online looking to see if I could find a local Toucan he could go and see and stumbled upon your blog. It has a lot of fun information and he has enjoyed looking at it. I am wondering if it might be possible for you to skype for a few minutes with his class when he presents his project. The kids in his class would enjoy hearing from an expert.
Thank you,
Heather
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your note, I’m glad my website could be of help! I’m not sure where you’re at, but let me know what timezone and when and I’ll see if I can be available. Send me an email to toucanlady@adventuresintoucanland.com .
Best wishes,
Chrissann & the Cans
could you please send me a diet for the toco toucan I have a male and am very nervous of what to feed him I see you have 3 beautiful toucans congrats on the care you give them hope you can help me
Hi Donna,
I just replied to you in the message you sent me on Toucanland’s Facebook page. Hope that helps!
Chrissann & the Cans
Hi. Thanks a lot for your reply. I just sent you an email. Can’t wait for your respond 🙂
Have fun,
Sadra 🙂