Just back from six zoos in Belgium and the Netherlands - full photos to follow once I've finished off France but couldn't resist posting a few of the gems from Pairi Daiza straight away!
@Kakapo It is - but a lot of luck was needed! Straight after opening seems the best time for them to come lower (the Spix's and Lear's are the first (non-farm) animal exhibit inside the entrance).
Later in the day they spent a lot of time high up on the aviary side wall.
@Maguari Perhaps because they are not used to seeing larger crowds of people (having come from private breeding facility), so when it fills up later on, they get nervous and go higher up onto the wire?
@Pertinax Yeah, I think they're still just a bit nervous. The area of the park they're in is exceptionally busy - possibly a security consideration (you're certainly never going to get any time at the enclosure with no-one watching where it is!).
@Maguari I guess they are a security headache...! I'd like to go and see them having always wanted to see Spix, but decided to wait until they are more settled and out of the rather scruffy plumage they are currently sporting. Adults can be immaculate. Maybe after the winter...
@Pertinax The Lear's are looking worse! We actually already had this trip planned before they (and the Bulwer's Pheasants and Lesser and Greater Birds-of-Paradise) arrived, so it was all rather fortuitous.
Yes, I noticed the Lear's are even scruffier. I suspect they are all juveniles ( the Spix with their pale bill edge definately are..) they just need a few months to smarten up and the Spix in particular to get used to living in a 'zoo' environment.
