For weeks, they've barely been seen. Protected inside a cavity that recreates the hollow of a tree, three little toucanets have grown up under the care of their parents , who have incubated the eggs, fed them, and protected them. Now, ready to take their first steps outside the nest, the three chicks have begun to explore the aviary at BIOPARC Fuengirola, closely accompanied by their parents.
The birth and growth of these three toucanets has followed a slow process, in which the Zoology team has allowed each stage to develop at its own pace, trying to replicate the conditions they would find in the wild. The entire breeding period inside the nest lasts around 45 days, of which 15 to 17 are dedicated to incubation.
As part of preparing the enclosure to encourage natural behavior, the Zoology team installed three potential nests in different locations within the aviary so the birds could choose where to settle. Ultimately, the pair selected the nest at the top of the cenote, next to the giant tortoises, an area that is typically quieter and has less traffic from other animals.
For approximately 45 days, the eggs and subsequently the chicks remained inside the cavity, out of sight of visitors. During the incubation period, which lasts between 15 and 17 days, the parents were responsible for maintaining the necessary conditions for the eggs' development. After hatching, they continued caring for the chicks, entering and leaving the nest to bring them food and remaining attentive to their needs. In this way, the parents themselves set the pace of the rearing process, just as they would in their natural habitat.
As the little toucanets have grown, so has their curiosity. First came timid appearances at the nest opening, from where they began to observe the outside world and familiarize themselves with the sounds, movements, and stimuli of the aviary. Then came their first forays, becoming more and more frequent, until finally all three felt ready to leave the safety of the nest.
Now the three young toucanets are exploring the aviary and beginning to discover their surroundings on their own. They do so, of course, under the watchful eyes of their parents, who are especially protective during this first stage outside the nest and always attentive to their chicks' movements.
The three offspring are two males and one female , a difference that can already be seen quite clearly by the coloration of the head: the males have a black tone, while in the female a dark reddish-brown color predominates.
This first contact with the outside world marks a new phase in their learning. After the first few weeks protected inside the nest, the chicks begin to develop their skills, move around the aviary, and learn from the adults the behaviors they will need to function independently.
Native to the tropical forests of the Americas, toucanets live among the vegetation of the rainforests of Central and South America, where they find food, shelter, and suitable breeding grounds. Forest loss and fragmentation are major threats to many of the species that inhabit these ecosystems, making the conservation of their natural habitats especially important.
The reproduction of this species at BIOPARC Fuengirola is part of the work that the park carries out to promote the conservation and reproduction of species, providing animals with spaces that allow them to express natural behaviors and the necessary conditions to raise their offspring.
With these three new additions, the toucanets join the births that occur at BIOPARC Fuengirola as a result of the care, monitoring and reproduction work carried out by its Zoology teams.
