A brightly colored toucan locals call “Sam” has turned into northwest Las Vegas’ most unlikely regular, popping up in yards, at busy intersections and even on a golf course. Neighbors keep snapping photos and sharing clips as the bird darts among trees near strip malls and parks. Volunteers, worried a tropical species will not survive the summer heat, have been trying for months to safely catch it.
As reported by FOX5, resident Katherine Eddington first thought she was looking at “a crow with a banana” when the bird flew across Simmons toward Ann Road and landed in a tree beside the Burger King. The station shared photos taken at Los Prados Golf Course last November and noted that sightings have rolled in from as far as Floyd Lamb Park, turning Sam into a roaming fixture across the northwest valley.
Where the bird may have come from
A listing on PawBoost identifies a bird called “Sam Tucan” as missing after an escape near Lone Mountain and Torrey Pines, with the “Date Last Seen” listed as November 15, 2025. That listing, combined with neighborhood photos that show a well-fed bird, has neighbors and rescuers leaning toward the idea that Sam is an escaped pet rather than some mysterious wild visitor.
Rescue efforts and how to help
SouthWest Exotic Avian Rescue (SWEAR), a volunteer parrot rescue group, says it has set a trap in an area where the toucan has been repeatedly spotted. The organization told FOX5 that it is “a miracle” the bird has survived this long. Volunteers are asking residents not to feed Sam, so the bird will be more likely to go to the trap instead of relying on handouts.
The group recommends that anyone who sees Sam contact volunteers via Facebook Messenger. SWEAR’s contact page lists email [email protected] and phone (702) 937-1005 for people who want to report sightings or pass along information.
What the law says
Under Nevada’s administrative code, toucans are explicitly listed among the species that may be possessed, transported and imported without a state permit or license, according to the Nevada Administrative Code. Even so, rescuers and park officials are stressing a humane retrieval and veterinary care if the bird is captured, and they are firmly discouraging amateur attempts to corner or grab it…