Posted by Hattie Potter, Development
Editor's Note: Thank you to animal keepers Erin and Kayla for answering our questions and helping us get to know Woodland Park Zoo's toucans.
How much do you know about toucans other than they have big beaks and are often "associated" with a fruity, sugary cereal? These beautiful and colorful birds are native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. They spend most of their lives high up in the trees where they nest in tree cavities and find many of their food sources. Woodland Park Zoo's toco toucans—one of the larger of the many species of this bird—can be found in our Tropical Rain Forest exhibit and their long, vibrant bills make them almost impossible to miss!
Let's get to know more, with the help of animal keepers Erin and Kayla:
What are their favorite treats and snacks?
They seem to enjoy quartered grapes and blueberries, as well as a snack of what are called apple jungle pellets.
Do they get along and share their space well?
It appears so, as recently eggs were found in their shared nest! We don't yet know if they're fertile, but it's exciting nonetheless as this is the first time this has happened between the pair.
Do they have a favorite spot where they like to hang out?
Normally, they can be found high up in their exhibit! Lately, they have been taking turns spending time in their custom-designed nest box. Animal keepers are able to access this box if needed and add wood shavings to it to stimulate interest in breeding.
What's the funniest thing you've seen the toucans do?
Sandy likes to tear apart heads of lettuce until all that's left are tiny lettuce shreds. It creates quite a mess for her animal keepers, but she seems to get a kick out of it!
Patrick likes to "supervise" whenever anyone cleans their exhibit. Just providing moral support to his care team, we're sure!
What would surprise people to know about these animals?
The toucans are remarkably dexterous with their beaks, even despite their large size. They can even catch blueberries in mid-air when tossed by their animal keepers!
What is something that only these animals' care team knows about them?
Sometimes Patrick watches YouTube videos with his animal keepers. Who doesn't enjoy the occasional cute cat video?!
Can you tell us one thing you love the most about working with the toucans?
The trust and relationships we’ve built with the pair during our time caring for them. They are intelligent animals, and we are still learning new things about the two of them. They both show a lot of curiosity toward their surroundings and their animal keepers. It's been special to witness!
What actions can people take to help toucans in the wild?
The biggest threat to wild toucans is the loss of their habitat. Rain forests are being cut down to make way for roads, farms, and buildings, all to the detriment of wildlife that depends on them to survive.
You can help by choosing paper and wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). You can also make your pantry more wildlife friendly and shop from companies committed to using sustainable palm oil.
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| Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
How much do you know about toucans other than they have big beaks and are often "associated" with a fruity, sugary cereal? These beautiful and colorful birds are native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. They spend most of their lives high up in the trees where they nest in tree cavities and find many of their food sources. Woodland Park Zoo's toco toucans—one of the larger of the many species of this bird—can be found in our Tropical Rain Forest exhibit and their long, vibrant bills make them almost impossible to miss!
Let's get to know more, with the help of animal keepers Erin and Kayla:
What are the names and ages of our toucans?
There are currently two toucans living at the zoo – one male and a female. Our male toucan hatched on March 17, 2012, making him 12 years old. His name is Patrick in honor of being born on St. Patrick's Day!
Our female toucan was hatched on June 2, 2022, making her just over 2 years old. She hasn't been officially named yet, but her care team knows her as Sandy!
Where did they hatch?
Patrick hatched at Zoo Atlanta and Sandy hatched at Fort Worth Zoo.
How do you tell them apart?
If you happen to see them side by side, you may notice that Patrick's bill is a little longer. He is altogether a little larger than Sandy.
The easiest way to tell the two of them apart is to look at their legs, as Sandy has a reddish pink band on her left leg.
There are currently two toucans living at the zoo – one male and a female. Our male toucan hatched on March 17, 2012, making him 12 years old. His name is Patrick in honor of being born on St. Patrick's Day!
Our female toucan was hatched on June 2, 2022, making her just over 2 years old. She hasn't been officially named yet, but her care team knows her as Sandy!
Where did they hatch?
Patrick hatched at Zoo Atlanta and Sandy hatched at Fort Worth Zoo.
How do you tell them apart?
If you happen to see them side by side, you may notice that Patrick's bill is a little longer. He is altogether a little larger than Sandy.
The easiest way to tell the two of them apart is to look at their legs, as Sandy has a reddish pink band on her left leg.
 |
| Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
What are their favorite treats and snacks?
They seem to enjoy quartered grapes and blueberries, as well as a snack of what are called apple jungle pellets.
Do they get along and share their space well?
It appears so, as recently eggs were found in their shared nest! We don't yet know if they're fertile, but it's exciting nonetheless as this is the first time this has happened between the pair.
Do they have a favorite spot where they like to hang out?
Normally, they can be found high up in their exhibit! Lately, they have been taking turns spending time in their custom-designed nest box. Animal keepers are able to access this box if needed and add wood shavings to it to stimulate interest in breeding.
 |
| Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo |
What's the funniest thing you've seen the toucans do?
Sandy likes to tear apart heads of lettuce until all that's left are tiny lettuce shreds. It creates quite a mess for her animal keepers, but she seems to get a kick out of it!
Patrick likes to "supervise" whenever anyone cleans their exhibit. Just providing moral support to his care team, we're sure!
What would surprise people to know about these animals?
The toucans are remarkably dexterous with their beaks, even despite their large size. They can even catch blueberries in mid-air when tossed by their animal keepers!
What is something that only these animals' care team knows about them?
Sometimes Patrick watches YouTube videos with his animal keepers. Who doesn't enjoy the occasional cute cat video?!
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| Photo: Dennis Dow/Woodland Park Zoo |
Can you tell us one thing you love the most about working with the toucans?
The trust and relationships we’ve built with the pair during our time caring for them. They are intelligent animals, and we are still learning new things about the two of them. They both show a lot of curiosity toward their surroundings and their animal keepers. It's been special to witness!
What actions can people take to help toucans in the wild?
The biggest threat to wild toucans is the loss of their habitat. Rain forests are being cut down to make way for roads, farms, and buildings, all to the detriment of wildlife that depends on them to survive.
You can help by choosing paper and wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). You can also make your pantry more wildlife friendly and shop from companies committed to using sustainable palm oil.
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