DREAM FLOCK?

[patdbunny]

and roz could you use a horse saddle on an ostrich?

Saddle, schmaddle! I'd put a sock over its head and hop on!

[kaylayuh]

I'd like a pionus one day, too. But my ultimate goal is a Keel Billed Toucan. I've been looking at Emerald City Bird Forest and lusting away. They're the perfect bird, in my opinion. They have an understated beauty, they're unable to bite hard and therefore not able to destroy things, and they don't scream. Toucans that are hand raised by a good breeder make wonderful pets. They live to be about 30 years old. They have a diet similar to parrots. I just think they're insanely fascinating.

The only downside is their price. Toco Toucans routinely go for around $12,000. I'm assuming Keel Billed Toucans would go for similar prices. Plus I'm sure a toucan isn't exactly an avian you see every day, even if you are an avian vet.

Just talking about them makes me want one more and more. I read about them all the time!

[pchela]

If time and money and space and personal energy weren't issues - I'd add a Hawk Head - I raised one and he was absolutely the coolest bird I ever raised period. He had so much personality. I loved that guy. Also wouldn't mind a Black Headed Caique and Hahns or Noble Macaw. Oh and maybe a Rosifrons, Turquoise Greencheek or Painted Conure.

I already have my Timneh who was on the list.

[GlassOnion]

When I first went onto Emerald Forest Bird Garden a long while ago, I fell in love with aracaris. I really wish there were more resources online about toucans.

Also, Pchela, what was so special about this hawkhead?

[kaylayuh]

When I first went onto Emerald Forest Bird Garden a long while ago, I fell in love with aracaris. I really wish there were more resources online about toucans.

Also, Pchela, what was so special about this hawkhead?

I've been looking for more resources about them, but Emerald Forest Bird Garden is the only one I've found that's been good. I haven't been to see it yet, but I plan on harassing my boyfriend into taking me there when I move out there.

[patdbunny]

toucans

Dick Schroeders website w/ articles. Mostly about lories, but some other softbills:
http://www.novaksoftware.com/avian/documents/home.php

[kaylayuh]

toucans

Dick Schroeders website w/ articles. Mostly about lories, but some other softbills:
http://www.novaksoftware.com/avian/documents/home.php

Definitely going to be reading that. I did some googling last night on prices, and Keel Billed Toucans go for about $5,000. Still less than the Toco Toucans, but way way more expensive than I thought they'd be. Unfortunately, my boyfriend doesn't love me enough yet to spend $5,000 on a bird for me. I found some Tocos in the penny saver in the Arizona for $350, which is way cheap for the $12,000 price they usually go for.

A few years back when I first started researching them, common wisdom was that captive Toucans should be fed all kinds of insects and even pinkie mice. Funny what a few years does when it comes to common knowledge, because now that's warned against.

[pchela]

When I first went onto Emerald Forest Bird Garden a long while ago, I fell in love with aracaris. I really wish there were more resources online about toucans.

Also, Pchela, what was so special about this hawkhead?

For one thing they are incredibly beautiful. http://www.featheredfamily.com/hawkheads.htm

They are just so full of personality. My breeder also says that the hawk heads are his favorite babies to raise. They are spunky and smart and a lot of fun. It's hard to explain.. I just felt like he was better able to understand and interact with me than the other birds. Kind of like an African Grey - you can just tell they are smarter and more in tune than the others. And check out the crest!

[coral]

Pionus are great birds and seem to be overlooked and less popular than most and tbh I have no idea why, my little guy is awesome

Kaylayuh I was actually looking up toucans a whole ago on parrot form sales and stuff and websites and I found some for like$ 500-$1000 I really want a toucan when I move out and get my own place

[kaylayuh]

Kaylayuh I was actually looking up toucans a whole ago on parrot form sales and stuff and websites and I found some for like$ 500-$1000 I really want a toucan when I move out and get my own place

When I finally move out to California with my boyfriend, I am going to nag him and beg him until he takes me to Emerald Forest Bird Gardens, at which point I will nag him for a baby all of my own.

A lot of articles say that they make great pets, even great first birds. Other articles say they don't make great pets because of how much space they need and the fresh foods. I think if I'm already doing it for my parrots, why wouldn't I be able to do it for a Toucan?

I like all of the Toucans, Toucanets, and Aracaris, but the definite front runner is the Keel Billed. I'd love any of them, but I don't think I'd ever *feel* like I got my *dream bird* if I didn't have a Keel Billed. I'll have to look around for other breeders of them and see what the average cost is. I have like, a new bird itch now and I really really want one. It'd be nice if someone loved me enough to buy me one! I'd take super good care of it, lol.