Last updated on April 22nd, 2022 at 10:28 am
Florida seems like it’d be a great home for warm weather-loving birds, but what about toucans? Can these birds live in Florida, or do they need a different climate or environment?
Florida does not have any toucans. There was an incident in 2018 when a toucan escaped into the wild, but they do not naturally occur in the wild, nor can they survive in the wild in Florida long-term. Rather, toucans prefer tropical rainforest climates in South and Central America.
Why Florida Doesn’t Have Toucans
Florida has no native toucan species, but there have been incidents where toucans raised in captivity have been let loose.
That said, toucans raised in captivity are unlikely to do well in the wild, especially in an unsuitable ecosystem like what they’d find in Florida.
Toucans Raised in Captivity
While you might not think of a toucan as a popular pet, they are common in Florida. Many toucans are raised in captivity for educational or conservation purposes.
It is also legal in the state to keep a toucan as an exotic pet for personal reasons.
While some exotic pets require a license, toucans do not.
That said, keeping a toucan as a pet is an expensive and labor-intensive undertaking, and many experts advise against it.
It can be hard to find sitters to care for your pet toucan properly when you’re away, and they require several meals a day plus plenty of play and enrichment.
Toucans are also very vocal, and not everyone is prepared for the sounds they make.
They need to eat fresh fruit multiple times a day and have room to fly, which can be tricky for busy people without an extensive aviary.
In most cases, it’s best to leave raising toucans to the bird experts in animal sanctuaries and zoos.
Can a Toucan Live in the Wild in Florida?
A toucan cannot live in the wild in Florida.
It’s not a natural part of their range, and they have difficulty finding food in Florida during seasons when the plants are not bearing fruit.
Also, hawks and owls pose a great danger to toucans let loose in the wild.
Colorful birds like toucans have a difficult time hiding from birds of prey, especially when they’re outside their natural ecosystems.
Even smaller birds like Mockingbirds, crows, and Blue Jays can spook or harm toucans out of place in the wild.
It’s also difficult for any bird bred in captivity to make it in the wild, even if they were let loose in an appropriate ecosystem.
Captive birds simply lack the foraging and hunting skills that wild birds have, and they are less tuned in to threats.
Where Do Wild Toucans Live?
Wild toucans live mainly in tropical South American rainforests, hopping from tree to tree high up in the canopy.
They can also be found in Central America and the Caribbean. Mexico, Bolivia, and Argentina are three of the most common places to find toucans globally.
Because Florida doesn’t have tropical rainforests, it cannot be a suitable home for toucans. Florida has warm, wet weather, but its ecosystems fall into the following categories:
- Forests
- Coastlines
- Oceans
- Wetlands
- Rivers
- Watersheds
Types of Toucans in the Wild
There are both toucans and toucanets in the wild, with toucanets being similar to toucans but smaller.
There are also birds known as aracaris that are very similar to toucans and toucanets but a different species.
Keel-Billed Toucans
Keel-billed toucans live near Florida, but their range does not extend into the state. Rather, these toucans can be found in Central America, including Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.
Once, a keel-billed toucan named Tiki was let loose in South Florida, but there are no records of such toucans breeding in the wild.
Citron-Throated Toucans
Although citron-throated toucans have also been found in Florida, they are non-native and do not exist in strong numbers.
These toucans are native to humid forests and lowland areas in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela.
When they have been found in Florida, it typically results from an escape from captivity.
Black-Mandibled Toucan
The Black-mandible Toucan lives in northern South America, especially near the coastline of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.
These birds prefer humid mountain forests, not like the forests you’d find in Florida.
It makes its nest up in the trees, collecting wood chips in a tree opening and laying two to four shiny eggs in the cavity.
Other kinds of toucans include:
- Channel-billed Toucan
- Swainson’s Toucan
- Choco Toucan
Where To See Toucans in Florida
Although toucans do not live in the wild in Florida, there are several places you can go to visit them in captivity.
Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami, the premier zoo in Miami, Florida, is home to several tropical birds, including the Swainson’s Toucan and the Great Indian Hornbill.
Tickets for Zoo Miami are just $22.95 for adults and $18.95 for children, and they include admission to a wide range of animal exhibits hosting both exotic and native species.
Brevard Zoo
The Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida, is another place to find the Swainson’s Toucan in Florida.
This zoo has an extensive aviary full of exotic birds and an aviary for native species.
Guests have said that this zoo has the look and feel of a nature preserve despite being a zoo.
Seaworld Parks and Entertainment
Another location for spotting toucans in Florida is Seaworld Parks and Entertainment in Orlando, Florida.
Seaworld is home to a Keel-billed Toucan, a mostly black toucan with a multicolored bill containing yellow, red, orange, green, and blue.
It has a distinctive bright yellow face and blue eyes as well.
Flamingo Gardens Animal Sanctuary
Flamingo Gardens Animal Sanctuary is another home for toucans in Florida.
This Miami location was home to Tiki, a toucan that escaped the sanctuary in 2018 for a short period before being safely returned.
This sanctuary was established in 1927, making it one of the oldest public gardens in southern Florida.