I am currently looking into the natural diet of Toco toucans (Ramphastos toco). In captivity these birds experience several problems in health and reproduction, there are some suspicions that these problems might (partially) be caused by dietary errors. The natural diet of these birds consists largely of Cecropia pachystachya, Ficus luschnathiana, Genipa americana, Copaifera langsdorffii and Schefflera morototoni. Differences between the chemical composition of the natural and captive diet might (partially) cause the health and reproductive problems.
Hello Mr Zibaee, the full names are in the description bellow the question. I am interested in the chemical composition of the fruits of: Cecropia pachystachya, Ficus luschnathiana, Genipa americana, Copaifera langsdorfii and Schefflera morototoni.
What health problems in Tocos are you refering to? Of course iron storage disease is well know in Ramphastids.
The health problems experienced in captivity include iron storage disease (hemochromatosis), but also diabetes mellitus and metabolic bone diseases. The cause of the low reproduction is unclear, but the opportunity for the birds to choose a mate seems to be an important factor in reproductive success.
Thank you Mr van Houtan, i have contacted Ms Alvarez-Loayza.
These plants possess C-glycosylflavonoids and proanthocyanidins, monoterpenes, glcyocides, and tannin, glucoside flavonoids, Orientin (9) (luteolin-8-C-glucoside) which are possible toxic for birds. Yes its true that differences between the chemical composition of the natural and captive diet might (partially) cause the health and reproductive problems. There is a possibility that these might have strong proteinase inhibitors, systemic pesticides, fungal infection due to bird feeding.
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