That was the closest I got to identifying it although the illustration in my Helm (Pigeons and Doves) didn't show it with the two seperate marks behind the eye. The reason I thought it was African was because there were a few in the African waterfall aviary as well...although the guys conducting the feeding did mention that not all the birds in that exhibit were from Africa. Thanks for confirming this for me.
The reason I thought it was African was because there were a few in the African waterfall aviary as well...although the guys conducting the feeding did mention that not all the birds in that exhibit were from Africa.
the Waterfall Aviary used to house birds from all over the world but they have made a great effort to turn it into a solely African exhibit and remove all the extra species. In earlier days there were loads of lories and lorikeets in there which all went into the Lory Loft when that was built. There are still a few non-African species in the Waterfall Aviary that haven't been caught yet (or maybe the effort isn't worth it for just a few individuals).
The feeding times in the aviary are fantastic, when all the starlings, hoopoes etc come down for the mealworms (and the many-lined sun skinks come out of the plants to try and snatch some food too!).
I agree, the collection can only be appreciated during the feeding. I was thrilled to see a Purple Crested touraco for the first time although I wasn't able to get any good shots of it. The Wattled starlings were a first for me as well.
I agree, the collection can only be appreciated during the feeding. I was thrilled to see a Purple Crested touraco for the first time although I wasn't able to get any good shots of it. The Wattled starlings were a first for me as well.
