ZooBlog
Precious Moments in Zoos and Aquariums
Bald eagles
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Class: Aves
Habitat: Near rivers and large lakes, hardwood trees for nesting
Length: 3 feet
Weight: 9-14 lb
Incubation: 35 days, 1-3 eggs
Diet: Fish, but will take anything is available
Photo © Matt L.
America's National Symbol
Found in North America, bald eagles are birds of prey and represent the national bird of United States. Their habitat also ranges from Alaska and Canada, to northern Mexico. Bald eagles get the name from their distinctive white head and tail, and brown body. These color patterns, however, are not fully developed until five years of age, and immature birds which lack this characteristic can be confused with the golden eagles.
Conservation
Although population of bald eagles is threatened due to deforestation and illegal shooting, the species is listed as "least concern" under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Animal Info
Bald eagles can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Queens Zoo.
Class: Aves
Habitat: Near rivers and large lakes, hardwood trees for nesting
Length: 3 feet
Weight: 9-14 lb
Incubation: 35 days, 1-3 eggs
Diet: Fish, but will take anything is available
Photo © Matt L.
America's National Symbol
Found in North America, bald eagles are birds of prey and represent the national bird of United States. Their habitat also ranges from Alaska and Canada, to northern Mexico. Bald eagles get the name from their distinctive white head and tail, and brown body. These color patterns, however, are not fully developed until five years of age, and immature birds which lack this characteristic can be confused with the golden eagles.
Conservation
Although population of bald eagles is threatened due to deforestation and illegal shooting, the species is listed as "least concern" under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Animal Info
Bald eagles can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Queens Zoo.
Caribbean flamingos
Phoenicopterus ruber
Class: Aves
Habitat: Lagoons and mudflats
Length: 6-8 feet
Weight: 4-6 lb
Incubation: 28-32 days, 1 egg
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates
Photo © Matt L.
Brightest of All
Despite closely related to Greater flamingos and Chilean flamingos, Caribbean flamingos can be easily identified by their brightest pink color among all subspecies. They are highly social, as they live in large groups of up to tens of thousands of birds.
Crop Milk
Chicks are fed by their parents a type of "milk" called crop milk, which is produced in adult flamingos' digestive tract. Both males and females share this ability.
Animal Info
Caribbean flamingos can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.
Class: Aves
Habitat: Lagoons and mudflats
Length: 6-8 feet
Weight: 4-6 lb
Incubation: 28-32 days, 1 egg
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates
Photo © Matt L.
Brightest of All
Despite closely related to Greater flamingos and Chilean flamingos, Caribbean flamingos can be easily identified by their brightest pink color among all subspecies. They are highly social, as they live in large groups of up to tens of thousands of birds.
Crop Milk
Chicks are fed by their parents a type of "milk" called crop milk, which is produced in adult flamingos' digestive tract. Both males and females share this ability.
Animal Info
Caribbean flamingos can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.
Inca terns
Larosterna inca
Class: Aves
Habitat: Rocky cliffs
Length: 16-17 inches
Weight: 6-8 ounces
Incubation: 28 days, 1-2 eggs
Diet: Anchovies
Photo ©Matt L.
White Mustache
Found on rocky cliffs, inca terns can be easily identified by their dark grey body and white face stripes that look like mustache. They can be found along the Pacific coast from northern Peru south to central Chile.
Animal Info
Inca terns can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.
Class: AvesHabitat: Rocky cliffs
Length: 16-17 inches
Weight: 6-8 ounces
Incubation: 28 days, 1-2 eggs
Diet: Anchovies
Photo ©Matt L.
White Mustache
Found on rocky cliffs, inca terns can be easily identified by their dark grey body and white face stripes that look like mustache. They can be found along the Pacific coast from northern Peru south to central Chile.
Animal Info
Inca terns can be seen at the Bronx Zoo.
Indian peafowls
Pavo cristatus
Class: Aves
Habitat: Grasslands and scrub
Length: 30-34 inches
Weight: 7-12 lb
Incubation: 28-30 days, 3-6 eggs
Diet: Vegetable and invertebrates
Photo ©Matt L.
The Spectacular Fan
Indian Peafowls are best known for males' feature of displaying their fan or "train" in order to attract the females. These feathers are actually not the tail, but long extensions of the upper tail covers. The train makes up of more than 60% of their total body length and when displaying to females, it would be displayed as a beautiful and spectacular fan.
Animal Info
Indian peafowls can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo.
Class: AvesHabitat: Grasslands and scrub
Length: 30-34 inches
Weight: 7-12 lb
Incubation: 28-30 days, 3-6 eggs
Diet: Vegetable and invertebrates
Photo ©Matt L.
The Spectacular Fan
Indian Peafowls are best known for males' feature of displaying their fan or "train" in order to attract the females. These feathers are actually not the tail, but long extensions of the upper tail covers. The train makes up of more than 60% of their total body length and when displaying to females, it would be displayed as a beautiful and spectacular fan.
Animal Info
Indian peafowls can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo.
Victoria crowned pigeons
Goura victoria
Class: Aves
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Length: 28-30 inches
Weight: 5-6 lb
Incubation: 28 days, one egg
Diet: Fruits, seeds, snails
Photo © Matt L.
Largest Living Pigeon
Victoria crowned pigeons are currently the largest living pigeon species, yet these birds do not look quite similar to the pigeons we are used to see on streets. The crowned pigeons are distinguished by their elegant blue lace-like crest of feathers on their head.
Conservation
Due to habitat loss, Victoria crowned pigeons are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Animal Info
Victoria crowned pigeons can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Central Park Zoo.
Class: Aves
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Length: 28-30 inches
Weight: 5-6 lb
Incubation: 28 days, one egg
Diet: Fruits, seeds, snails
Photo © Matt L.
Largest Living Pigeon
Victoria crowned pigeons are currently the largest living pigeon species, yet these birds do not look quite similar to the pigeons we are used to see on streets. The crowned pigeons are distinguished by their elegant blue lace-like crest of feathers on their head.
Conservation
Due to habitat loss, Victoria crowned pigeons are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Animal Info
Victoria crowned pigeons can be seen at the Bronx Zoo, and Central Park Zoo.
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