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Who We Are
and How We Got HereDiscover what Emerald Forest Bird Gardens is all about.
Our Story
Established in 1990, Emerald Forest Bird Gardens is a world-renowned breeding facility for toucans, toucanets, and aracaris. We are home to 20 species and over 250 birds – the largest collection of toucans in the world – and have been successfully raising toucans for over forty years. We have achieved thirteen first breedings, and with our extensive experience, have been a leader in toucan breeding protocol and husbandry practices worldwide. Our efforts focus not only on breeding toucans for individual ownership, but also for conservation of endangered species and the necessary genetic diversity. We raise several species that are listed as threatened in the wild, and we occasionally trade birds with zoos or other renowned breeders for this purpose.
Here at EFBG, we pride ourselves on our spacious enclosures, safe and healthy husbandry practices, and evidence-based feeding and hand-rearing procedures. All of our policies and procedures come from decades of research and development, and allow us to raise a large number of healthy, thriving chicks every year. In the early 2000’s, we participated in diet feeding trials with Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, as part of a research project that resulted in the development of the first ever low-iron pelleted diet for iron-sensitive birds. Due to the fact that toucans are uniquely susceptible to hemochromatosis (iron storage disease), this was a major breakthrough for feeding in captivity. Everything we do at Emerald Forest Bird Gardens is for the birds! We love our flock and want the best for them, always striving to provide the best care possible for our beloved feathered friends.
Over 40 Years of Experience
Our Facility
Emerald Forest Bird Gardens is a Model Aviculture Program (MAP) certified facility, which means we have passed a rigorous inspection that certifies we meet the highest standards of care in the world of aviculture. MAP requires inspection by a licensed avian veterinarian and adherence to strict protocols for aviary management, including safe husbandry practices, record-keeping, and the use of a closed aviary concept to secure flock health.
The Aviaries
All of our breeding birds are raised outdoors year-round in a natural environment. They enjoy the benefit of fresh air, full sunlight, and the occasional rain, just as nature intended. Each pair is kept in exceptionally large, spacious flights landscaped with a variety of plants under a canopy of oak trees, and provided with a hollowed-out palm log for natural nesting accommodations.
Raising birds outdoors is necessary to their health, vigor, and mental well-being, promotes natural behaviors in line with their wild counterparts, and results in exceptional feather coloration not possible in indoor-bred birds.
The Nursery
EFBG maintains a dedicated nursery where our babies are cared for by a team of highly-trained individuals, and are under the supervision of a licensed avian veterinarian.
Each baby is hand-reared and well socialized by both male and female caregivers to ensure they will be a good fit within any home. Our chicks are raised on a specialized diet and abundance weaned at their own pace when ready. All babies are close-banded with traceable, identifying information, and DNA-sexed before going home with their new families. Every bird purchased at our facility is guaranteed to be in good health.
