Natural Encounters Keeper Priscilla is clearly on Pico's "Friends" list
Our members and frequent guests would probably describe Natural Encounters as a place where you can see many species from many habitats all in one place. We specialize in mixed species exhibits and in bringing our animals out onto the public floor for, well, encounters. One of our popular birds that you might see in either the indoor or the outdoor rain forest exhibits is Pico, our collard aracari (ahr-uh-SAHR-ee). He’s quite the charmer with his fancy colors and the way he approaches the front of the exhibit to get a closer look at guests.
Pico is an inredible animal to work with, but unfortunately he has strong likes and dislikes as far as individuals. He doesn’t hesitate to let you know how he feels about you the moment he meets you. So, much as we adore him, as far as an encounter candidate, he’s maybe not the best. Pico has been able to teach our guests that these birds range from Central through South America and that they are related to toucans as well as many other facts about aracari’s. Don’t forget to tell Pico how handsome he is when you see him!
Because we had come to love aracari’s so much through Pico, we were thrilled when we got a call recently from the Houston SPCA about an aracari that was confiscated from an individual that could not properly care for the large numbers of birds they had aquired. This aracari was reportedly very friendly and loved everyone she met. We went right over to the SPCA to meet her. She was everything they told us, with personality plus! We quickly made arrangements for quarantine space and she came to the zoo. She has been given a clean bill of health by our veterinary staff and has now moved to her permanent home in Natural Encounters.
Meet Olivia, the green aracari! She will be making appearances at Natural Encounters so stop by on your visits to the zoo and learn more cool facts about aracari’s and their rain forest homes!
Get your own bird's eye view of Olivia, our new green aracari when you visit Natural Encounters!
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Welcome Olivia!!!
Olivia says thak you very much and please visit!
This looks like Mrs. Mayworms bird… she use to have Aracaris.. but they were confiscated .. and one of them was named Olivia… do you know where they came from?