Softbill birds

Softbills are a group of birds that are not commonly kept as pets. They are generally of greater interest to aviculturists than to pet owners. The name does not imply that their bill is soft, but refers more to the fact that they eat soft foods; fruit, insects, and in some cases meat. The softbill that is most commonly recognized in the pet trade is the Indian Hill Mynah. Other softbills that sometimes can be seen in the pet market are Toucans, Aricaris, and some Turacos.

Diet

Because of the wide range of species of that this category covers, it is difficult to talk about general diet.

The one concern with softbill diets in general is the iron content. Softbills require a diet that is less than 200 parts per million iron.

The nutritional requirements of a fruit eating bird such as a turaco are vastly different than those of an omnivore such as a magpie. Before considering any type of softbill, carefully research that particular species of interest to determine dietary requirements.

Fresh water should always be available.

Housing

For the most part softbills are kept as aviary birds in large flights rather than pet bird cages. They need room to fly.

Handling & Care

Softbill birds are usually kept as display birds or in an aviary breeding situation.

Special Considerations

Due to the nature of husbandry of these birds, they really aren't kept as pets. They require a great deal of  food preparation, specialized diets and large flights.