Bird species NOT keept in walktrough aviaries

I've seen many species in walk-throughs exhibits (not only aviaries, also open enclosures), including :
  • Argus Pheasant
  • Demoiselle and African Crowned Crane
  • Emu
  • small to medium-sized parrots (e.g. Gray African Parrot)
  • Vultures (diverse species)
  • Mynahs (many species)
  • Storks and Ibises
I think that Condors are suitable in a very large walk-through aviary (I'm nearly sure that King Vultures live in the Great Aviary of Doué la Fontaine).

In my opinion, few species cannot live in walk-throughs exhibits, they are mainly species not suitable for mixed-species exhibits because they are harmful for other birds and even humans :
  • Eagles and Falcons (but not Kites, Vultures and even Buzzards)
  • Owls, especially the largest species
  • Crows (opportunistic, they can eat or harass the other birds)
  • Cassowaries
 
Haliaeetus said:
I think that Condors are suitable in a very large walk-through aviary
Click to expand...

I'm inclined to disagree, mainly due to the sheer size and tendency to be aggressive. Emus and rheas may be bigger sure, but they're not touting a 10 foot wingspan. If a condor got too used to people they'd have to pull it, too risky for kids especially. Besides that California Condor would be forbidden for use in such aviaries due to rarity and restrictions, and Andeans are better off in breeding situations anyways.

Haliaeetus said:
Eagles and Falcons
Click to expand...

Not the best example, but I've been in a walkthrough housing a Peregrine that had a wing injury. It was housed by itself but you could walk through.
Honestly you might be able to use kestrels in a walkthrough since they're relatively harmless, but it'd probably stress them out.

Haliaeetus said:
Owls, especially the largest species
Click to expand...

Several people have mentioned owl walkthroughs. Largest isn't really a factor, I've seen photos of Great Gray walkthroughs, and have been through a Snowy Owl walkthrough myself (they all had wing injuries but still counts; annoyingly I didn't see any though.)
Also to your mention of them not being mixable, while many aren't there are a few that are. Burrowing Owl is commonly mixed with various species, and there's the occasional mixed exhibit with a different owl species.
 
gerenuk said:
Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas, Queensland had cassowary in one of their walk-through aviaries. I believe Melbourne Zoo had kept cassowary in its large free flight aviary.

Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand once kept kiwi in their free flight aviary.

Bronx Zoo has a brilliant walk-through aviary with penguins.
Click to expand...
I don’t think you entirely understand. I don’t know about the first two examples but I do know Bronx zoos penguins can’t actually walk through and interact with guests. That’s the question, not what animals have simply been kept but which can interact with guests in a freeflight or open walking situation.
 
I've seen a few zoos with Black Swans in walk-throughs, that has always struck me as odd due to potential problems with aggression.
 
Hi,
Much what you write is true, however, a modern generation of aviaries are much larger than traditional ones in old city zoos. This allows more diverse species.

At Villars de Dombes, France, there is a walkthrough aviary ca 50 x 70 x 15m2 with big predatory species like marabou, goliath herons and egyptian vultures and small speckled pigeons, spur-winged lapwings and red-billed teal. And it seems to work. There are also walkthrough aviaries with green peafowl (Loro Parque) eagles (Aigles du Leman, France) and large parrots, among others.
 
Westcoastperson said:
I don’t think you entirely understand. I don’t know about the first two examples but I do know Bronx zoos penguins can’t actually walk through and interact with guests. That’s the question, not what animals have simply been kept but which can interact with guests in a freeflight or open walking situation.
Click to expand...
Agree, in the context of this thread flightless birds are irrelevant. I'm willing to bet in the examples given the birds are separated from visitors by a barrier (I'd be interested to hear if that is not the case) and as they are flightless their interaction with flighted birds would be minimal.
 
Sarus Crane said:
So they're on view in the Sulawesi aviary along with the Yellowbills? AWESOME!!!!! :):):)
Click to expand...
Right? Or, at least they were. I have not been in the aviary the last few times I was there, but next time I go I will try and get a picture of them if they are still there.
 
MRJ said:
Agree, in the context of this thread flightless birds are irrelevant. I'm willing to bet in the examples given the birds are separated from visitors by a barrier (I'd be interested to hear if that is not the case) and as they are flightless their interaction with flighted birds would be minimal.
Click to expand...
Not in the examples I know. I know exhibits where penguins can walk across the pathways, same goes for rheas and emus, I think.
 
Haliaeetus said:
In my opinion, few species cannot live in walk-throughs exhibits, they are mainly species not suitable for mixed-species exhibits because they are harmful for other birds and even humans :
  • Eagles and Falcons (but not Kites, Vultures and even Buzzards)
  • Owls, especially the largest species
Click to expand...
Zoo Schmiding offers walkthrough aviaries with Steller's sea eagles and large vultures. Several European zoos offer walk-through aviaries with owls, even larger ones.
You're correct, however, in regards to corvids: I don't think that, say, large ravens or Australian magpies would be suitable for walkthrough aviaries.

Are there any walkthrough exhibits for keas?
Large cranes & storks as well as shoebills might not be the best candidates for such exhibits.
 
Batto said:
Are there any walkthrough exhibits for keas?
Large cranes & storks as well as shoebills might not be the best candidates for such exhibits.
Click to expand...

There's (or has been, I don't know) at least one walkthrough exhibit for Keas, in New Zealand.
ZooLex Exhibit - Walk-through Kea Aviary

I know a walkthrough exhibit with African Storks in Beauval : Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim Stork and African Openbill. All these species live there in large flocks (I think, ca. 20 birds of each species).
I add this exhibit is very large, with many perches and platforms that allow the birds to nest, and to avoid close proximity of visitors.
 
Haliaeetus said:
I know a walkthrough exhibit with African Storks in Beauval : Yellow-billed Stork, Abdim Stork and African Openbill.
Click to expand...
There are several walkthrough aviaries with storks. But with large and potentially dangerous ones -?
 
Batto said:
Zoo Schmiding offers walkthrough aviaries with Steller's sea eagles and large vultures. Several European zoos offer walk-through aviaries with owls, even larger ones.
You're correct, however, in regards to corvids: I don't think that, say, large ravens or Australian magpies would be suitable for walkthrough aviaries.

Are there any walkthrough exhibits for keas?
Large cranes & storks as well as shoebills might not be the best candidates for such exhibits.
Click to expand...
Shoebill in Kobe animal kingdom is in a walkthrough
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top