Sylvan Heights Bird Park Sylvan Heights Bird Park

[Smaggledagle]

On February 24th, the aviary announced that (0.0.3) black-necked swans hatched on February 19th.

We have three new arrivals at our Avian Breeding Center! These Black-necked Swan cygnets are about 5 days old. Nesting pairs build a mound of vegetation — pine straw, in this case — and lay 3 to 8 eggs. Cygnets hatch with a layer of silvery-white down, and typically begin swimming within 48 hours. When they need to rest, the cygnets just climb up under their parents’ wings and enjoy a ride around the pond! | Sylvan Heights Bird Park | Sylvan Heights Bird Park · Original audio

On March 17th, the aviary announced that (0.0.2) red-legged seriemas hatched two weeks prior and are now on exhibit in the South American Aviary.

At two weeks old, these Red-legged Seriema chicks have quite an appetite! Red-legged Seriemas are ground-dwelling birds that live in open grasslands of South America. Similar to raptors, seriemas prey on small rodents, lizards, and even venomous snakes. These chicks will likely remain in their nest for another 1-2 weeks, and their parents will continue to feed and care for them for the next 3 months. Visitors to Sylvan Heights Bird Park can look for the new family next to the South America aviary! Video by Zeek Craven, Lead Aviculturist | Sylvan Heights Bird Park | Sylvan Heights Bird Park · Original audio

On April 21st, it was reported that the aviary will be opening a new exhibit for whooping cranes in early May. It was also reported that over 100 birds, including (0.0.2) Sebastopol geese, hatched at the Avian Breeding Center in 2023.

https://www.wtvr.com/on-air/virgini...visit-to-sylvan-heights-bird-park-this-spring

 

[Smaggledagle]

On May 5th, the aviary opened a new exhibit for their whooping cranes to the public which is below the Toad Hall Pavilion.

Have you heard the news? Our... - Sylvan Heights Bird Park
Grand Opening and Dedication: Whooping Crane Aviary – Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On May 12th, the aviary announced that a (0.0.1) whooper swan hatched on May 11th and is on exhibit.

This Whooper Swan cygnet hatched yesterday at the Avian Breeding Center, and is already busy exploring every inch of its new home! Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) have a widespread range across the Eurasian continent, migrating from their southern and western wintering range to their breeding range, which stretches across Russia and the Nordic countries. Pairs of Whooper Swans are known to mate for life. Both parents participate in nest building and rearing their cygnets. | Sylvan Heights Bird Park | Sylvan Heights Bird Park · Original audio

On June 9th, the aviary announced that (0.0.5) snow geese hatched a week prior.

Meet our tiny lawnmowers! Young goslings require a nearly constant supply of fresh grass and lettuce to fulfill their nutritional and behavioral requirements. Each morning, bird keepers at the Sylvan Heights Avian Breeding Center transport these one-week-old Snow Geese from their protected overnight shelter to a fresh patch of grass, where they graze, sleep, and enjoy the sunshine. | Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On July 11th, the aviary announced that (0.0.2) American flamingos hatched on July 10th and are on exhibit.

Flamingo Chicks Hatch at Sylvan Heights Bird Park | Flamingo chick alert! Not just one, but TWO American Flamingos hatched yesterday in the Multinational Aviary. Guests can catch a great view of the... | By Sylvan Heights Bird Park | Facebook

 

[Aardwolf]

Been talking about it for years, but looks like they’re finally starting to move ahead with the planned penguin exhibit

 

[SwampDonkey]

Been talking about it for years, but looks like they’re finally starting to move ahead with the planned penguin exhibit

I am more interested in what that aviary behind it is, that looks like a unique design.

 

[PossumRoach]

I am more interested in what that aviary behind it is, that looks like a unique design.

The torrent () of water does give me some ideas but I don’t want to get into wild speculations.

 

[Aardwolf]

The torrent () of water does give me some ideas but I don’t want to get into wild speculations.

The duck depicted in the aviary in the background is a harlequin, which SHBP already has, but I like the direction your mind is going.

If anyone in the US can pull that off, it would be the Lubbocks. I know they've worked with that species in the past, and there are still some in captivity.

 

[Astrotom3000]

Also of interest is the fact that the entire exhibit is covered by one big aviary net. You can see 2 ducks in a pond in the background with a stream that feeds the penguin pool.

Also definitely interested in that separate aviary as well. Is that supposed to simulate a wave-broken coastline?

I would love to see this come into fruition. Sylvan Heights is already a fantastic park and this will definitely elevate it.

 

[PercideRolo]

View attachment 670467

Been talking about it for years, but looks like they’re finally starting to move ahead with the planned penguin exhibit

Looks awrsome! Humble penguin are neat!

 

[pachyderm pro]

Looks awrsome! Humble penguin are neat!

Agreed; certainly much better than arrogant penguins.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On March 8th, 2024, the aviary announced that a (0.0.1) Hawaiian goose hatched on March 6th which is on display in the North American Aviary.

A new arrival has joined our flock in the North America aviary! This Hawaiian Goose, or nēnē, is just two days old. Nēnē can nest from August through April, although most nesting activity occurs in late winter and early spring. They are often the first waterfowl to hatch each year in the aviaries at Sylvan Heights Bird Park. Once an endangered species on the brink of extinction, the nēnē was removed from the endangered species list in 2019 after decades of conservation efforts successfully increased their population numbers on the Hawaiian islands, particularly on the island of Kaua’i. | Sylvan Heights Bird Park

 

[StoppableSan]

The Penguin Project – Sylvan Heights Bird Park

As of March 15th 2024, the initial fundraising goal for bringing penguins to Sylvan Heights has been exceeded, thanks to some very generous donors!

 

[Aardwolf]

Mike Lubbock, founder of Sylvan Heights and one of the world’s most celebrated experts on waterfowl, the first to breed many species and a great mentor to many aviculturalists, has just passed away
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[Daktari JG]

that's a big loss

 

[Aardwolf]

In an article in the most recent issue of "Words on Waterfowl," it was announced that Sylvan Heights would become the only facility in North America to house critically endangered Brazilian mergansers (which themselves were only imported to Europe very recently). The mergansers will be kept off-exhibit at the Propagation Center, but there are plans to have them on display in the future. Sylvan Heights had long been a key funder of the conservation program of this species in Brazilian facilities, so it's exciting that visitors will be able to see the birds themselves in the not too distant future

 

[KevinB]

On June 7th, 2025 they plan to begin building the Penguin Point exhibit, which will feature African penguins as well as habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Mike Lubbock, founder of Sylvan Heights and one of the world’s most celebrated experts on waterfowl, the first to breed many species and a great mentor to many aviculturalists, has just passed away
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Truly a big loss to aviculture in the Americas.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On May 2nd, the zoo announced that a great argus hatched, which is on exhibit.

33K views · 1.3K reactions | Our Great Argus pheasants are celebrating a new arrival! This chick hatched just a few days ago, and is currently exploring its new exhibit under the watchful eyes of both parents. Watch until the end to see the new dad perform his display for the female and chick! Like all pheasants, Great Argus chicks are precocial, meaning they can walk and eat soon after hatching. Great Argus (Argusianus argus) are native to Southeast Asia. Males are among of the largest of the pheasants, with tail feathers that can reach nearly 5 feet in length. | Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On May 6th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 kori bustards, which are on display in the lesser flamingo aviary.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On May 9th, the zoo announced that 2 spur-winged plovers hatched, which are on display in the birds of paradise aviary.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On May 23rd, the zoo announced that 5+ hooded mergansers hatched.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On June 6th, the zoo announced that 5+ black-bellied whistling ducks hatched, which are now on display in the North America aviary.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

On June 13th, the zoo announced that 2 lesser flamingos hatched.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park