Toucan

Iron storage disease

SignsLethargy, swollen abdomen, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, sudden death. Almost no signs early on

PreventionLow-iron pellets (under 100 mg iron per kg) as the staple. Limit high-vitamin-C fruit such as citrus and avoid iron-rich foods

Bill damage and infection

SignsChipped or cracked bill, discolored tip, bleeding, difficulty eating, constantly rubbing the bill on objects

PreventionAvoid cages with fine wire mesh. Prevent collisions with hard objects. See a vet right away for any abnormality; never treat it yourself

Hypothermia and cold-like signs

SignsFluffed up and hunched, shivering, dirty nostrils, sneezing, loss of appetite, not moving

PreventionKeep the room at 20°C or above. In winter install a heater and a thermometer. Avoid drafts and sudden temperature swings

Intestinal parasites

SignsDiarrhea, green or black droppings, weight loss, dull feathers, losing weight despite a good appetite

PreventionFecal exam when you first bring the bird home. Do not feed wild-collected food or insects. Clean the cage floor daily

Obesity and fatty liver

SignsFat on both sides of the breast muscle, sluggish movement, labored breathing, swollen abdomen, overgrown bill or nails

PreventionDo not make sugary fruit the staple. At least 60% low-iron pellets. Daily exercise in a space where it can fly

Aspergillosis

SignsChanged breathing sounds, open-mouth breathing, loss of voice, lethargy, gradual weight loss

PreventionVentilate and clean so mold cannot grow even in high humidity. Never leave spoiled fruit out. Reduce stress

Bill fracture or loss

PreventionCover windows and mirrors before letting the bird out. Reduce hard corners and wire mesh in the cage. Do not startle it

First aidPress bleeding gently with clean gauze. Do not touch the bill or feed. Keep warm and see a vet now

Collision with a window or wall

PreventionClose curtains and cover mirrors before free flight. Turn off ceiling fans. Make sure the room is large enough

First aidPick the bird up and rest it in a dark, warm box. Deformed bill or head, unsteadiness or a drooping wing: see a vet the same day

Wing or leg fracture

PreventionSpace perches correctly and avoid slippery materials. Watch for stepping on the bird when it is out of the cage

First aidNo splint. Put it in a box and keep still. Fold the wing against the body, wrap loosely in a towel and see a vet now

Bleeding nail or toe

PreventionDo not let nails overgrow. Prevent snagging on carpet or mesh

First aidPress flour or cornstarch onto it and apply pressure. If it does not stop in 5 minutes or the toe is deformed, see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, from hands that touched droppings, the cage or food dishes

PreventionAlways wash hands after care. Wash food and water dishes daily. Do not wash them in the kitchen

Psittacosis (Chlamydia)

RouteInhaling dust from dried droppings or feathers

PreventionMist with a spray bottle before cleaning and wear a mask. If fever or cough persists, see a doctor and mention the bird

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral, from hands or equipment contaminated with droppings

PreventionChildren and the elderly should not clean the cage. Wash hands and keep equipment separate

Fungal (mold) infection

RouteInhaling mold spores from bedding or spoiled fruit

PreventionRemove uneaten fruit within a few hours. Keep bedding dry and ventilate

Food

• Low-iron pellets (under 100 mg/kg iron) as at least 60% of the diet, always available
• Fruit such as papaya, melon, apple and grapes twice a day, cut bite-size
• Pinkie mice and insects only in very small amounts outside the breeding season

Water

• Change fresh water morning and evening. Use a deep dish since fruit juice fouls it easily
• Provide a separate shallow bathing dish and wash it daily

Toys & play

• Place several natural-wood branches and perches of different thicknesses so it can hop between them
• A feeder that holds fruit on a spike, or wooden balls it can toss and play with
• Metal or string toys catch in the bill and cause accidents

Nest, bed & hideout

• A thick wooden nest box or hollow-log tube. The entrance should fit the body
• Place the sleeping spot high up. Cover the surroundings with cloth and keep it dark and quiet at night

Bedding & litter

• Line with newspaper or paper towels and change daily
• Do not use fine chips or sand; they are easily swallowed
• The floor gets dirty with fruit juice. If using a wire grate, choose a gauge that will not hurt the feet

Cage / housing material

Thick stainless steel or powder-coated metal bars. Galvanized (zinc) metal can cause poisoning

Size & space

At least 2 m wide x 1 m deep x 2 m high. An indoor flight room is ideal

Layout

• Set perches apart on the left and right, spaced so it can hop between them
• Put food and water dishes near the perches, where droppings will not fall in
• Nest box at the very top. Leave the center open for flight

Placement notes

• Out of direct sunlight and away from direct heating or air-conditioning drafts
• Dark and quiet at night. High enough to be out of the line of sight of dogs and cats

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let it out for 1–2 hours a day in a room with doors and windows shut so it can flap and fly
• Before letting it out, cover mirrors and windows and put away pots, aquariums and open flames
• Never take it outdoors. An escaped bird will not survive a Japanese winter

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Below 15°C is dangerous; do not let it drop below 20°C in winter

Humidity50–70%. Dry air causes cracking of the bill and skin

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 30°C with air conditioning. Avoid direct sun and offer more baths
• Winter: heater with a thermostat. Watch for cold snaps in the morning and evening

Nail trimming

Let natural-wood perches wear them down. If overgrown, have the vet trim them. The quick is thick, so beware of cutting too short at home

Brushing, skin & coat care

Daily bathing. Misting the feathers with a spray bottle is also fine. Ruffled feathers or less feather dust are signs of poor health

Other care

A chipped or overgrown bill is trimmed by the vet. Never file it yourself. Sunbathing through a screen a few times a week

Protection from predators

• Do not let it out in the same room as dogs or cats. It can be bitten even through the cage
• Avoid balconies and windowsills, where wild birds, crows and cats can approach
• Use screens and keep clean to keep out mosquitoes and mites. Mosquitoes carry avian malaria

Foreign-body ingestion

Because it swallows things whole, it will swallow small objects, beads, metal pieces and rubber. Clear the floor and shelves before letting it out. If it swallows something, do not induce vomiting; see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

It likes to play on the floor and comes to your feet. Check where it is before walking, and call out and check before opening or closing doors or moving chairs

Getting pinched

Easily caught in doors. Keep doors closed and fixed while it is out. Choose a cage whose door and bars cannot trap the bill or feet

Falls

The long bill puts its center of gravity forward, so it falls easily from slippery perches. Use wooden perches and lay a mat on the floor to soften impacts

Escape

Return it to the cage before opening windows or the front door. If it escapes, look in nearby tall trees, place the cage and a favorite fruit where it can see them, and notify the police and neighbors

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and lower your voice to stay calm
2. Gently support the base of the bill between thumb and index finger
3. Show a favorite fruit with your free hand to distract it
4. Once it lets go, return it to the perch and leave it alone for a few minutes

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. Swelling, heat or a deep wound: the person should see a doctor too. If the bird's bill is chipped, go to the animal hospital

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Bring the food brand and ingredients, types of fruit, photos of droppings, time of onset, cage temperature and past blood test results

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check response to your voice and a light touch. Pupil movement
• Watch the chest rise and fall for breathing. At rest 30–60 breaths per minute
• Place a finger on the chest to feel the heartbeat. Fast, around 300 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press the wound gently with gauze and hold still for 5 minutes
• Bleeding from a nail or feather shaft: apply pressure with flour or styptic powder
• Bleeding from the bill: do not press too hard; keep warm and see a vet immediately

Transport

• Line a small box with a towel, keep it dark and warm
• Keep the car at 25°C or above. Hold the box on your lap and do not let it shake