Hi everybody! I've just recently gained access to the Speculative Zoo Design & Planning forum, and it couldn't have happened at a better time! I'm taking a course on architecture and design right now. Recently, my class was given an assignment to develop anything we are passionate about, and for me it's zoos. So, I wanted to ask for the advice & knowledge of people who've been to zoos around the globe, and have seen a variety of animals & enclosures. My objective is to create two aviaries using species found in AZA facilities, modeled after the Cerrado and Bangweulu Wetlands.
I would love to hear your thoughts & knowledge of birds that should be housed in these aviaries. But please refrain from using birds found in zoos outside of the US or birds that aren't kept in captivity. I want to create these designs as realistic as possible for myself, even though I know my professor wouldn't be able to detect the difference. Feel free to suggest birds that are present on the continent these habitats are located on, not simply the animals in these ecosystems (I know this may be forbidden for some zoochatters).
The Cerrado Walkthrough Aviary - According to WWF, the Cerrado, which is primarily found in Brazil, is the most biodiverse savanna in the world. Being home to about 860 species of bird, that's why I think an aviary based off this habitat would be fantastic! I'm hoping to create something similar to the Houston Zoo's Pantanal savanna aviary which guests are also able to walkthrough. I'm still working on the design of the aviary itself and have a few species in mind. I currently have listed Wattled Curassow & Golden Conure which aren't from the Cerrado but are apart of the SSP, Wood Stork & White-Faced Whistling Duck, and Green Oropendola which I believe would bring a great educational value through their nesting behavior. I'm trying not to copy the exact same species of birds found in the Houston Zoo's aviary & my goal is to have 12-14 species found in this aviary with the goal of breeding. I would like to hear everyone's thoughts & advice of which birds could be in this aviary, and if any of my current choices should be changed.
The Bangweulu Wetlands Aviary - The Bangweulu wetlands is located in north-eastern Zambia, it has a diverse ecosystem & is home to over 400 species of birds. The star of this aviary would be the Shoebill Stork, I know they're a fading species in the US, with Zoo Tampa & The Dallas World Aquarium being the only facilities currently holding the species. But, I'm hoping for resurgence in the future with the Houston Zoo planning to acquire shoebills. The goal of this aviary is to have a breeding pair of shoebills. Would it be preferable if there were no other bird species in the aviary with the shoebills, or could other birds coexist with them? If so, what species?
I am eager to discuss and hear your improvements and thank you in advance to everyone who responds!
I would love to hear your thoughts & knowledge of birds that should be housed in these aviaries. But please refrain from using birds found in zoos outside of the US or birds that aren't kept in captivity. I want to create these designs as realistic as possible for myself, even though I know my professor wouldn't be able to detect the difference. Feel free to suggest birds that are present on the continent these habitats are located on, not simply the animals in these ecosystems (I know this may be forbidden for some zoochatters).
The Cerrado Walkthrough Aviary - According to WWF, the Cerrado, which is primarily found in Brazil, is the most biodiverse savanna in the world. Being home to about 860 species of bird, that's why I think an aviary based off this habitat would be fantastic! I'm hoping to create something similar to the Houston Zoo's Pantanal savanna aviary which guests are also able to walkthrough. I'm still working on the design of the aviary itself and have a few species in mind. I currently have listed Wattled Curassow & Golden Conure which aren't from the Cerrado but are apart of the SSP, Wood Stork & White-Faced Whistling Duck, and Green Oropendola which I believe would bring a great educational value through their nesting behavior. I'm trying not to copy the exact same species of birds found in the Houston Zoo's aviary & my goal is to have 12-14 species found in this aviary with the goal of breeding. I would like to hear everyone's thoughts & advice of which birds could be in this aviary, and if any of my current choices should be changed.
The Bangweulu Wetlands Aviary - The Bangweulu wetlands is located in north-eastern Zambia, it has a diverse ecosystem & is home to over 400 species of birds. The star of this aviary would be the Shoebill Stork, I know they're a fading species in the US, with Zoo Tampa & The Dallas World Aquarium being the only facilities currently holding the species. But, I'm hoping for resurgence in the future with the Houston Zoo planning to acquire shoebills. The goal of this aviary is to have a breeding pair of shoebills. Would it be preferable if there were no other bird species in the aviary with the shoebills, or could other birds coexist with them? If so, what species?
I am eager to discuss and hear your improvements and thank you in advance to everyone who responds!
