The zoo was busy today. Crocodile skink are on display in the reptile house (though I didn't see them /it)
They have about sixteen ostriches now.
The bird aviaries are still partly built.
Visited today, primarily for the state of the art elephant exhibit. Impressed with that of course, and with the quality of the enclosures in general. Bird collection is surprisingly good:
Pairs of Steller's Sea Eagles and White-headed Vultures in appropriately huge aviaries, the latter (oddly) sharing with a Canada Goose and a Chinese X Greylag-descended domestic goose.
A select group of waterfowl in a walkthrough enclosure comprised Red-breasted and Bar-headed Geese, Indian Spotbill, Ruddy Shelduck and Red-crested Pochard. White Storks were incubating on a ground nest site. A surprise was a group of Military Macaws sharing with a single Spix's Guan -- at least, I could only see one.
Well presented bird of prey display showcased the contrasting flying and hunting skills of Aplomado Falcon, Merlin and Golden Eagle as well as the more standard Harris's Hawk and Barn Owl. The Aplomado Falcon was quite stunningly beautiful.
Grassy enclosures held a single Common and two Grey Crowned Cranes, and a mixed group of Blue Peafowl (including Black-shouldered), Guineafowl and Golden Pheasants.
Apart from half a dozen Golden Bishops, a flock of Cockatiels, Blue-fronted and Orange-winged Amazons, an Alexandrine Parrakeet, and a signed but not seen Eastern Rosella, that's all the birds. Not a large collection, but some real 'goodies' there. Oddly enough, I think I only saw a single Ostrich, as well as at least two each of Emu and Greater Rhea.
Other highlights were at least ten Coatis sharing the huge Andean Bear enclosure with a single very actively digging bear, extensive skunk and Prairie Dog enclosures, three American Bison (don't see enough of these nowadays) and a single (domestic) Yak (don't see enough Yaks either).
All in all, enjoyable visitor experience with some stunning and well accommodated animals.