Posts Tagged ‘Birds’

Jul
22

Bird Brained Challenge: Answer #5

Posted by in Birds,Contest

This bird is the Rainbow Lorikeet!

Rainbow Lorikeets are an energetic and playful species that we are happy to have on display at the Houston Zoo. These bright and colorful birds are commonly classified with regard to their varying coloration. Green-naped Lorikeets are just one example of this highly-variable parrot.

Lorikeets of all types have a variety of adaptations for their specialized diet, and Rainbow Lorikeets are no exception. These small parrots eat a variety of soft fruits, but an important component of their diet is the nectar of a variety of plant species. Lorikeets have modified papillae (structures on the tongue) that resemble the bristles of a paintbrush. This adaptation makes these birds uniquely suited to consume plant nectar. Their scientific genus (Trichoglossus) actually refers to this adaptation.

Like most parrot species, the Rainbow Lorikeet can readily be found in the pet trade – and like most parrot species, the Rainbow Lorikeet is typically not regarded as a good choice for a pet. Parrots are loud and messy birds that require great amounts of social interaction to compensate for the interaction the bird would otherwise experience in the wild. Veterinarians specializing in aviculture are not as common as those treating mammalian companion animals, making care of these animals more difficult and potentially expensive. Furthermore, an abundance of information on the care of these animals exists in easy to access sources such as the internet – unfortunately, this information is rarely consistent from one source to another (and sometimes it is downright wrong). Instead, we encourage guests to take advantage of the chance to see and learn more about our parrots at the Houston Zoo, which includes the intriguing Pesquet’s Parrot and the critically endangered St. Vincent Amazon. In this way, guests can experience the wonder of watching parrots interact with a variety of stimuli, knowing that these animals are well cared for by the trained staff of one of the largest and most diverse avian collections in the country!

Photo by Leigh Spencer

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Jul
21

Bird Brained Challenge: Answer #4

Posted by in Birds,Contest

This bird is the Waldrapp Ibis!

The Waldrapp Ibis (Geronticus eremita) is distinctive bird possessing a long red bill, a flamboyant crest and beautiful green and purple iridescence. However, intriguing looks have not been enough to keep this bird from the endangered species list – it is critically endangered, with a wild population of fewer than 1000 birds.

As with most ibis species, the males possess a larger bill than females which can be used to identify the gender of a specific bird. Study has shown that males with larger beaks are more attractive to females and have greater likelihood for reproductive success. While this bird ideally nests in larger colonies, here at the Houston Zoo we have had great success producing chicks with a flock of less than 10 adults. We have produced 1-2 chicks annually for the past several years.

The Waldrapp Ibis (along with the Sacred Ibis) is widely regarded as a manifestation of Thoth, the Ibis-headed Egyptian God of Wisdom. Many birds revered in this sense serve as symbols of light, intelligence and power. Examples of birds in mythology include Ra and Horus (Hawk-headed Gods of the Sun and Sky, respectively), Quetzalcoatl (Aztec God of the Sky and namesake of the Quetzal, a group of brilliantly colored South American birds) and Huitzilopochtli (Aztec God of War – represented by a hummingbird!). Birds can also be found as manifestations of observation and wisdom through the owl of Athena (Greek Goddess of Wisdom) and the ravens of Odin (Norse God of Battle and the Hunt).

Photograph by Leigh Spencer

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Jul
20

Bird Brained Challenge: Answer #3

Posted by in Birds,Contest

This bird is the Blue Crane!

Blue Cranes (Anthropoides paradiseus), also known as Stanley Cranes or Paradise Cranes, are a medium-sized species of crane found mainly in southern Africa (though small populations are known to exist elsewhere). These birds have been housed at the Houston Zoo with several of our large hoofed animals including nyala antelope and okapi. Like most cranes, these birds readily establish monogamous pairs through elaborate displays. Also like most cranes, these large birds can become quite defensive during the breeding season and are more than capable of defending their offspring. 

The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) classifies these birds as Vulnerable, with population estimates ranging between 15,000 – 25,000 individuals. Most of this population loss can be attributed to human development of native grasslands where these birds would feed on a variety of vegetation and small animals.

The Blue Crane is recognized as the national bird of South Africa, a designation reinforced by the fact that nearly the entire population of this majestic species occurs within the country. In spite of this prestige, Blue Cranes (like the majority of crane species) face a number of threats including loss of habitat and poaching.

Photograph by Leigh Spencer

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Jul
19

Bird Brained Challenge: Answer #2

Posted by in Birds,Contest

This bird is the Brown Pelican!

The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a large and impressive bird that can easily attain a wingspan of 7’ and less-than-impressive 10lbs (keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of avian species weigh much less than their mammalian and reptilian counterparts due to the variety of adaptations that make flight possible). However, this bird is dwarfed by a variety of relatives that can have a wingspan exceeding 10’ and weighing more than 30lbs! 

The Brown Pelican is a wonderful example of how human societies must be mindful of the impact they have on the environment. The usage of DDT and a variety of other pesticides in the 1960s and 1970s had a tremendous impact on the population of Brown Pelicans, as well as other piscivorous birds (including the Bald Eagle). Irrigation and natural rainfall would flood fields treated with these chemicals, causing them to run-off and contaminate local water systems. Fish living in these systems began accumulating these toxic chemicals in various tissues of their bodies, which were then processed by the pelicans when the fish were consumed. These chemicals caused a thinning of the eggshell of nesting birds and as such the eggs were not fit to maintain a fertile egg through embryonic development. This is just another example of why Conservation Staff at the Houston Zoo make such a strong case for living a greener, environmentally-friendly lifestyle! 

The Houston Zoo is very happy to include such attractive and intriguing native birds as part of our collection. Many visitors readily describe the sense of awe they feel watching these birds soar through the sky and dive for fish – practically in their own backyard! Unfortunately, the Brown Pelicans at the Houston Zoo are no longer capable of flight. These non-releasable rehabilitation animals were injured in the wild. Though they were cared for by trained rehabbers, they are no longer capable of flight. However, they are able to serve as ambassadors at the Houston Zoo to spread a conservation message on behalf of their wild counterparts.

Photograph by Leigh Spencer

 

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Jul
18

Bird Brained Challenge: Answer #1

Posted by in Birds,Contest

This bird is the Malayan Great Argus Pheasant!

 

Malay Great Argus Pheasants are some of the largest and most visually impressive birds housed and displayed at the Houston Zoo. While the bodies of the birds are not much larger than a chicken or turkey, males possess long wing feathers and tail feathers that make it very difficult for males to fly. Females are much smaller and much less ornate, though still very attractive birds. Once sexually mature, these birds are most certainly sexually dimorphic: it is very easy to visually identify a bird as male or female just by looking at it, a trait that is fairly rare amongst avian species.

These birds exhibit a variety of feather patterns on their wing and tail feathers, almost all of which contain ocelli (eyespots) to some degree. Both males and females have these decorative eyespots, though they are fewer and less-pronounced in females. Ocelli found on the male are particularly impressive when he displays to attract the attention of a female: the male fully spreads his wings until he resembles a “feathery satellite dish” (this is a description heard from a guest, and in all honesty it is the simplest and most-accurate description I have heard to date!).

The Malay Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) has a scientific name derived from the Greek “Argos”, a primordial giant possessing a hundred eyes. This name is certainly fitting as the Argus is a fairly large and impressive bird, and a displaying male shows more ocelli than can be counted!

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Jul
15

Bird Brained Challenge: Clue #5

Posted by in Bird Brained Challenge,Birds,Contest

Thank you for playing our Bird Brained Challenge! Below you will find a series of clues that pertain to a particular bird found on display at the Houston Zoo. All you need to do is determine the species based on the clues and let us know your answer by posting a comment on this blog! Full rules for the contest can be found here.

Are you bird brained?

BIRD #5

 

1) While the exact taxonomy of this species is debated, this bird species currently has more subspecies (variations) than any other psitticine.

2) These birds have a modified tongue used for collecting their favorite food item, nectar.

3) While available in the pet trade, these birds do not make good pets due to their loud and incessant vocalizations, messy eating habits and need for attention.

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Jul
14

Bird Brained Challenge: Clue #4

Posted by in Bird Brained Challenge,Birds,Contest

Thank you for playing our Bird Brained Challenge! Below you will find a series of clues that pertain to a particular bird found on display at the Houston Zoo. All you need to do is determine the species based on the clues and let us know your answer by posting a comment on this blog! Full rules for the contest can be found here.

Are you bird brained?

BIRD #4

 

1) This critically-endangered avian species has particularly distinctive plumage, with brilliant green and purple iridescence observable from considerable distance.

2) Males of this species possess a larger bill than females; the males with the longest bills have the greatest success in breeding situations.

3) This bird is regarded by many as a manifestation of Thoth, the bird-headed Egyptian God of Wisdom.

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Jul
13

The Most Dangerous Bird in the World Needs Your Help: Cassowary Spotlight on the Species

Posted by in Birds,Conservation,Spotlight on Species

My parents were surprised when I became a zookeeper. As I recall, they really should have seen it coming.

The zoo was my favorite place in the world growing up, and I pestered them so much to make the one hour drive to the Gladys Porter Zoo that they had to tell one of those white lies parents love so much–the zoo is only open for a few months during the summer.

If that wasn’t enough to tip them off, I also climbed onto the roof every Christmas to make sure Santa’s reindeer had carrots and plenty of water. I had decided it wasn’t fair that everyone gave Santa cookies and milk, but the reindeer, doing so much work, were ignored.

What does any of this have to do with ‘the most dangerous bird in the world’? Well, I didn’t like birds growing up. I was really interested in reptiles and primates, but I really did not understand the appeal of birds.

However, the cassowary was a very different matter. I distinctly remember the resident cassowary at my childhood zoo. She sat with her legs bent forward, and those wicked-looking feet with scary dagger-like nails relaxed in front of her. She was always right by the fence, and I had such a close view.

The bird just looked mean and prehistoric, unlike any other animal in the zoo. I remember my mother saying, “Come away from there, Megan. I don’t like the way that bird is looking at you.”

Years later, I had made birds my professional focus and fell in love with their variety, intelligence and beauty. I also never forgot that cassowary I met as a kid. She definitely made a lasting impression.

I always hoped to work with a cassowary at some point, and when Darwin, our Double-wattled Cassowary, arrived at the Houston Zoo, I was immediately in awe of this huge, flightless and very dangerous bird.

Darwin stands approximately five feet tall, weighs in at 110 pounds, and like all cassowaries, has a powerful kick, rendered even more severe by a viciously long nail on each of his inner-most toes.

That's a pretty intimidating claw! Image courtesy of www.epiccreature.blogspot.com

It’s those powerful kicks and sharp long nails that make the cassowary the most dangerous bird in the world. At the zoo, Darwin is a protected-contact animal, much like our lions or tigers, and we never go into his enclosure with him.

So why does a bird, so obviously well-equipped to take care of itself, need our help? As large and intimidating as a cassowary may be, they are simply no match for a car.

A cassowary chick, injured by a car in Australia. Most cassowaries that have the misfortune to meet with a vehicle are not so lucky. Image courtesy of www.globalgiving.org

Habitat destruction and fragmentation have devestated the cassowary population, and after several years of being the proud home to a Double-wattled Cassowary, we at the Houston Zoo decided it was time to help Darwin’s wild counterparts.

On Saturday, July 23rd, please join us at the Houston Zoo Cassowary Exhibit from 9 AM to 4 PM for a day of all things Cassowary!

There will be games!

There will be prizes!

There will be FUN!

Along the way, you’ll learn a thing or two about cassowaries, birds, habitat conservation, AND you’ll help the Houston Zoo raise funds to buy back and restore critical cassowary habitat, which means less of this:

A male cassowary and two chicks, attempting to make their way through traffic. Photo by Karl Dekok

 

and more of this:

A cassowary and his chick, in the forest, where they belong. Image courtesy of www.rainforesthideaway.com

 

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Jul
13

Bird Brained Challenge: Clue #3

Posted by in Bird Brained Challenge,Birds,Contest

Thank you for playing our Bird Brained Challenge! Below you will find a series of clues that pertain to a particular bird found on display at the Houston Zoo. All you need to do is determine the species based on the clues and let us know your answer by posting a comment on this blog! Full rules for the contest can be found here.

Are you bird brained?

BIRD #3

 

1) These monogamous birds are fairly peaceful – with the obvious exception of the breeding season, when pairs can become quite territorial.

2) While the IUCN lists these birds as Vulnerable, specific African countries are trying to reclassify these animals as Critically Endangered because of the drastic decline of population size.

3) This bird is the national bird of South Africa!

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Jul
12

Bird Brained Challenge: Clue #2

Posted by in Bird Brained Challenge,Birds,Contest

Thank you for playing our Bird Brained Challenge! Below you will find a series of clues that pertain to a particular bird found on display at the Houston Zoo. All you need to do is determine the species based on the clues and let us know your answer by posting a comment on this blog! Full rules for the contest can be found here.

Are you bird brained?

BIRD #2

1) While fairly large compared to many of the birds in our collection, this species is actually the smallest representative of its genus.

2) Previously threatened due to usage of a variety of pesticides, this bird has made a full recovery throughout most of its range.

3) These attractive, native birds can often be found seeking out their favorite food (fish) off the coast of Houston and Galveston!

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