Photo by Dave Location: Costa Rica Perched: Keel Bill Toucan 

A toucan's nails are not like parrot's nails exactly... comparing the two on pretty much any topic is pretty hard. So although I use cement, sandy and bamboo/stone perches for my parrots... you can't do the same for a toucan. A toucan's nails are MUCH softer, and file down incredibly fast.

I'm talking really, really, really fast. Don't even consider leaving a toucan on a cement-type perch for more than an hour otherwise you will come back to bloodiness. Their nails file so quickly, that eventually they get too short and cause the bird to bleed. Kind of like when you cut a parrot's nail too short and it bleeds... imagine that on your toucan but on EVERY toe nail. Scary. 

It's best to just stick to all natural wood perches for toucans. You can offer a cement perch or two, but make it optional for your bird so they don't "have" to use it in order to do daily activities like drink, eat, or sleep. It can simply be in passing or off to the side, but not in a mandatory spot. And never use it as the only perch in a toucan's travel carrier.

Just something to be aware if you own a toucan. Remember, they're very fragile birds, do lots of research and ask lots of questions.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.