Green+Aracari

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//Scientific name: Pteroglossus viridis// Order: Piciformes

=**__Husbandry Information__**=

Diet Requirements

 * Wild Diet: as frugivores, they eat mainly fruit. Will occasionally eat insects and small vertebrates for extra protein, especially during the breeding season.
 * Zoo/Aquarium Diet: a variety of fruit mixed with a small amount of low iron softbill pellets. Soaking some of the pellets in warm water & coconut oil before adding to the fruit mix can be a source of healthy fats good for beak and feather growth/maintenance.
 * Prone to develop iron storage disease so a low iron diet is important. Great fruit guide: []. Because decaffeinated black tea leaves have tannins, adding a small pinch to one of the water bowls (our aracari also always has access to non-tea water) can be helpful in blocking the liver from absorbing iron

Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * Shedd: Our aracari receives several sessions per day, both free & protected. He gets a reinforcement cup separate from his main food dishes with favorite reinforcers: grapes, peas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries & kiwi. Example behaviors trained (or being trained) w/ whistle as bridge: come to station, step up/hop to hand, kennel, allow jesses on/off, wing extension, nail clip, targeting, purr vocalization

=__Programmatic Information__=

Tips on Presentation

 * Shedd: For encounters we use small jesses attached to an elastic loop that goes around the handler’s wrist. This setup lets him perch comfortably on our hand while keeping him secured to us. We always bring his kennel with as a backup.

Potential Messaging


=__Acquisition Information__=

=__Comments from the Rating System__=
 * Houston Zoo: These are great birds for exhibits and for handling behind the scenes, but we've had issues with them tending to want to fly off. We don't want to jess them because their legs are so tiny.

=__Natural History Information__=

Threats and Conservation Status
=__Did you know…__=

=__Photographs__=

=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * Shedd Aquarium

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 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//