pheasants are one of the bird groups renowned for hybridisation, but there's also the aggression factor. From what I understand groups of male pheasants will live peacefully together but when there's females in there as well then not so much.
Most cock pheasants will not live in peace together unless they have a lot of room. Peacock pheasants in together like this is asking for trouble, as even the hens of these monogamous species are likely to fight seriously. Absence of hens makes fighting less likely, but will not prevent it. Also, some cock pheasants will make life impossible for cranes; I have had this with Monals, others have recorded it with Swinhoes & Silvers.
Hi vulpes, have to agree with above comment. When I first visited soon after it opened, I was pleasently surprised and thought there was great potential but by the middle of 2012 it had slipped backwards and there was a sloppy and amateurish feel to the place. On the plus side they do seem to move and build quite quickly and I believe they are working on a major upgrade to be ready for the summer season.
What did you think of it on your recent visit?
I am not in Ireland that often any more, so when I was, I made a special effort to go specifically to see the Tayra. To my great disappointment they were not on display. Most of the exhibits were closed off to the public as there is some major development work going on. I was delighted to see the Jaguarundi kittens, however the rest of the place still looked like a bit of a mess. The pheasants have now been divided up into individual aviaries now and the Squirrel monkey has an indoor house at last. There is only one left though so I wonder did the cold get the better of the others?
All in all not a great zoo and a stain on Ireland's great reputation for having some of the best zoos in the world despite how small of a country it is. The development work continues so maybe my criticism is a bit premature. The white Lion exhibit seems very practical, if not a little unsightly.
I do hope they pull it together and improve the mess that is there at the moment!
