Tikka and Bajji are collared aracaris (pteroglossus torquatus). They were hatched in August of 2006 and were hand-fed as babies. Collared aracaris are small members of the toucan family that are native to Mexico and parts of Central America. They do not talk, but they have a wide range of wonderful natural vocalizations.
Toucans have long suffered from hemochromatosis, or iron storage disease, when kept in captivity. Their natural foods come from nutrient-poor rainforest soils and so their bodies are built to try to store what they can get. This over-storage of iron begins to poison their livers when fed a rich captive diet. This can be controlled by following a strict diet of fresh soft non-citrus fruits and a specialized low-iron softbill bird diet.
Aracaris, like all members of their family, require a large flight cage. Their large bills are made of a honeycombed internal structure and are actually rather fragile. They have long, brush-like tongues. Collared aracaris have a round pupil, but the stripe across the iris of their eyes makes them look a bit elliptical.
Toucan Gallery
