Meet the toucans from Silly Safaris!
- WISH-TV Indianapolis
- 13 hours ago
- 1 min read
A trio of exotic birds was featured on this week’s guests of Pet Pals TV, as Meerkat Mel and Amazon John from Silly Safaris introduced two toucans and their smaller cousin, the curl-crested aracari.
One standout was a young curl-crested aracari affectionately nicknamed Rick James for his curly plumage and impressive beak. According to the handlers, Rick’s beak, made of lightweight bone and keratin, will continue growing as he matures, eventually sporting vibrant colors to match his playful personality.
This episode highlighted the unique habits and traits of toucans, including their specialized diet of fruit such as blueberries and papaya, and their preference for hopping from branch to branch rather than flying long distances. “They’re really not great flyers,” Amazon John says. “Their wings are small for their body size, so hopping is easier.”
While toucans and aracaris may seem like appealing pets, the handlers cautioned against keeping them in a home environment. “They’re a lot of work and go through a lot of produce,” said Mel. “They also have specific habitat needs and tend to make a mess.”
See more about these fascinating birds in the video!
