Weltvogelpark Walsrode News from Walsrode 2011 - 2013
- Thread starter jobalba
- Start date
Thanks lintworm. I visited about a week before they close for winter and yes twelve-wired on display in Rainforest House and cloven-feathered dove in Paradies Halle. When I passed by the doves aviary in the morning it was sitting on the ground in front of dish with fruit and when I passed it again in the afternoon it was still sitting there. Though all its feathering looked fine, the fact that it was sitting on the ground with little movement the entire day made me worry about its health. If something is wrong I do hope that the keepers will be able to deal with it.
I was also quite surprised at the number of capuchinbirds they have now. At least 7: 2 aviaries with 2 in each, 3 free in Rainforest Hall. One was bussy displaying its side puffs and giving the very strange song. With luck they'll breed. And from the capuchinbirds you only have to walk a few steps to get to aviaries with long-wattled umbrellabird, Andean cock-of-the-rock and Guianan cock-of-the-rock. A remarkable cotinga ensemble
However, on my visits in the last few years I can't help but feel that Walsrode isn't what it used to be. It was IMO on the very top in about 2000-2002. Just after the Rainforest Hall opened with its huge variety of Asian birds, and when the cooperation with Madagascar was initiated. Though the actual fall in species is fairly low compared to the total number of species they have (I believe they overall have about 50-75 species less than back then), several of those lost were quite exceptional and most aviaries are now a mix of species from all around the world. Anyhow, I'm sure some would disagree with this assessment and regardless the park remains remarkable. In a few South American groups, cotingas, tinamous and hummingbirds, there has actually been a small rise in diversity.
I was also quite surprised at the number of capuchinbirds they have now. At least 7: 2 aviaries with 2 in each, 3 free in Rainforest Hall. One was bussy displaying its side puffs and giving the very strange song. With luck they'll breed. And from the capuchinbirds you only have to walk a few steps to get to aviaries with long-wattled umbrellabird, Andean cock-of-the-rock and Guianan cock-of-the-rock. A remarkable cotinga ensemble
However, on my visits in the last few years I can't help but feel that Walsrode isn't what it used to be. It was IMO on the very top in about 2000-2002. Just after the Rainforest Hall opened with its huge variety of Asian birds, and when the cooperation with Madagascar was initiated. Though the actual fall in species is fairly low compared to the total number of species they have (I believe they overall have about 50-75 species less than back then), several of those lost were quite exceptional and most aviaries are now a mix of species from all around the world. Anyhow, I'm sure some would disagree with this assessment and regardless the park remains remarkable. In a few South American groups, cotingas, tinamous and hummingbirds, there has actually been a small rise in diversity.