Today, toucans are just as exciting to bird owners, whether they are kept as pets, or in aviaries for breeding. Toucans are intelligent, curious, and entertaining. While they do not have the capability to mimic human speech, they nevertheless are playful, enjoy exploring their surroundings, will sit on your shoulder or a perch, and may be taught to perform tricks including playing catch. Toucanets and aracaris are smaller versions of the large toucans. Personalities and behaviors are so similar as to negate the need for individual description.
Differences are in size and color, as well as cost.
The smaller toucenets and aracaris are much less expensive than the large toucans. If a pet quality bird is desired, a handfed youngster is the most suitable. Toucans make excellent pets. They are very intelligent, alert, and curious. They can easily be taught tricks, including rolling over, playing catch with a small ball, free flying and taking objects from one person to another, etc.