In 2003 a European first was achieved and Tonsley Events has joined up to support it. The famous London Zoo bred three parent-reared Toco Toucan chicks and Tonsley Events now sponsor a Toco Toucan at the Zoo to help the breeding programme. If you don’t believe us, check out the plaque at the Zoo.
Toco Toucans, the largest of all the toucans, are still rarely bred in captivity and are increasingly threatened by destruction of their habitat in the lowland rainforests and palm groves of Guiana, Brazil and northern Argentina.
The toucan’s body-length is approximately 40cm and their bill a further 15cm.
The huge bill is not as heavy as it looks. It is in fact a thin horny sheath supported by a criss-cross of thin bony rods. It is fragile and sometimes breaks.
Their huge amazing bills have evolved to allow these birds to access food, such as fruit, that other species of their size cannot reach.
The amazing colours on the bill are for display, but are surprisingly camouflaged in the tropical forests.
Toucans hatch 2-3 eggs.
Their croak-like call has been described as ‘winding an old clock and in chorus they can sound like a pondful of frogs!
Competition
A competition to name the Tonsley Toucan brought in some interesting results and the usual bout of Friday afternoon wit from the Tonsley loyalty. Our winner, Giles – not for the first time on these pages either – received two complimentary tickets to the London Zoo to see the Toucan!
And what made him famous? Lord Loucan, the Tonsley Toucan!Well done, Giles – have fun at the zoo!
Some of the best…
Mike Catt
Jow
Guiness
Jase Paul
Tonsley the Toucan
Darty
Play that game
Simmo
You can with a Toucan
Simon Woolf
Threesmorefun
Robbo
Tonsley Totty
(isn’t that what you call all your birds?!)
Floody’s Dad
Geoff
Jeremy
Big Nose
Nobby
Friar Touc
Simes
Henri Woolf
Anthony Dutton
Captain Beaky
Neal Taylor
Play that game
Meaksy
Brian Cant
Meaksy
Nacuot
Judge Bruce Senior
Lord Loucan
Giles Tebbitts
eefer marlarkin
Giles Tebbitts
Rootin’ tootin’ high falutin’
Freddie
Mr Can to you
George
Two can can-can with a toucan but can two can-can with two cans and a toucan too?
Giles Tebbitts
Bill
Robbo