A Century of Celebrating Wildlife

Page 19

Fit for a Bee-eater

BIRD s w e N T From

he

SAN DIEGO ZOO

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he San Diego Zoo’s bird collection is admired by avian experts around the globe. Our Bird Department cares for some of the rarest bird species in the world and has tremendous success breeding endangered species. 34

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n the wild, white-fronted bee-eaters nest by excavating tunnels into the sides of cliffs. The new bee-eater aviary in Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks will

Malayan Long-tailed 3 chicks hatched. Parakeet Ours is the only 7 chicks hatched. zoo in the world Rare in zoos, to breed this we are the only truly superb bird. zoo in the world breeding them. Superb Bird of Paradise

Success in the Outback

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he aviaries in Conrad Prebys Australian Outback were busy. Australian birds that raised chicks there included Gouldian finches (pictured), wonga pigeons, long-tailed finches, and double-barred finches.

African Birds Rock!

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s the Zoo began preparing for the new aviary in Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, some amazing avian species joined the collection in 2016. One is the black-headed weaver, which builds spectacular hanging nests and lives in colonies.

include a wall with tubes of sandy soil constructed in it, which the birds can dig into with their feet and beak to create their nests.

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird

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elebrating three chicks hatched, the San Diego Zoo is the only zoo in the world that breeds this fascinating species. Males court females by building an elaborate bower, a stage they decorate and on which they show off— each species has its favorite color scheme!

Indian Pygmy Goose 2 goslings hatched.

Great Blue Turaco 4 chicks hatched.

A Wave of Fun

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enguins are back after 35 years! Six African penguins charmed visitors in the Children’s Zoo as their spectacular exhibit is being built in Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks.

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