Today I visited the National Zoo to check out some of their new birds. I've posted photos on my Flickr: National Zoo, Aug 2010 - a set on Flickr
The Bird House had some nice surprises: a new exhibit for a flock of Swamp Sparrows (two subspecies: nominate and nigrescens) which are housed with a pair of Southern Masked Weavers; several Blue-winged Teal in both the wetland exhibit and the walk-through Indoor Flight Room; Socorro Doves (also new) in the wetland exhibit and in another hall gallery with four Guira Cuckoos; and, most striking, a pair of Spectacled Owls which are rather unfortunately in one of the smaller hall exhibits which previously held a Green Magpie.
The Great Outdoor Flight Cage always seems to be devoid of birds considering how massive it is. There were a few sleeping ducks, some peafowl, a pair of Temminck's Tragopans and three Bamboo Partridges but nothing else. I feel like that space could be used more efficiently but I'm sure the staff have their reasons for not filling it more.
The Indoor Flight Room also seemed to be lacking, with only 11 species (compare to 15 in 2009 and 18 in 2007) and max two individuals of each species. The Lilac-breasted Rollers (my favorite) are still in there, along with two very active Blue-crowned Motmots which were perched about two feet away from the visitors at the lower entrance.
Many of the exhibits were undergoing renovation, including the entire strip of southeast Asian bird galleries.
Amazonia now has a beautiful male White-tailed Trogon flying around with the other species (I saw one Roseate Spoonbill and two each of Blue-gray Tanager and Red-crested Cardinal) which I believe came from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. It was in great condition and very active, fluttering around right above the path.
Construction continues on the new Elephant Trail exhibit and it looks like it'll be fantastic, especially considering what used to be in its place. The grass was lush and there are several pools as well.
And the pandas were out! Always a nice surprise.
The Bird House had some nice surprises: a new exhibit for a flock of Swamp Sparrows (two subspecies: nominate and nigrescens) which are housed with a pair of Southern Masked Weavers; several Blue-winged Teal in both the wetland exhibit and the walk-through Indoor Flight Room; Socorro Doves (also new) in the wetland exhibit and in another hall gallery with four Guira Cuckoos; and, most striking, a pair of Spectacled Owls which are rather unfortunately in one of the smaller hall exhibits which previously held a Green Magpie.
The Great Outdoor Flight Cage always seems to be devoid of birds considering how massive it is. There were a few sleeping ducks, some peafowl, a pair of Temminck's Tragopans and three Bamboo Partridges but nothing else. I feel like that space could be used more efficiently but I'm sure the staff have their reasons for not filling it more.
The Indoor Flight Room also seemed to be lacking, with only 11 species (compare to 15 in 2009 and 18 in 2007) and max two individuals of each species. The Lilac-breasted Rollers (my favorite) are still in there, along with two very active Blue-crowned Motmots which were perched about two feet away from the visitors at the lower entrance.
Many of the exhibits were undergoing renovation, including the entire strip of southeast Asian bird galleries.
Amazonia now has a beautiful male White-tailed Trogon flying around with the other species (I saw one Roseate Spoonbill and two each of Blue-gray Tanager and Red-crested Cardinal) which I believe came from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. It was in great condition and very active, fluttering around right above the path.
Construction continues on the new Elephant Trail exhibit and it looks like it'll be fantastic, especially considering what used to be in its place. The grass was lush and there are several pools as well.
And the pandas were out! Always a nice surprise.
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