Tracy Aviary Tracy Aviary News

Update from Today's Visit:

South American Pavilion - Brooder Room:
  • I am devastated to announce that the kea (Nestor notabilis) chick did not survive. The chick did not absorb the entirety of its yolk sac. While this is unfortunate news, there is a slight possibility that now that Ora has a mate, a second clutch could be laid this year. Nevertheless, Tracy Aviary's role as a mate-choice facility has proved successful, and Tahi and Ora will be sent to a new facility within a year.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza:
  • With cases in the area down, the Kennecott Wetlands Experience and Backyard Birds exhibits have reopened. The American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus), and some waterfowl have returned to the Pelican Pond as well.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

South American Pavilion:
  • There is now a Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni) on-exhibit in the red siskin habitat. This marks the return of this species to Utah alongside the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium's acquisition of a male earlier this year.
Treasures of the Rainforest:
  • There is now a pair of Chestnut-backed thrushes (Geokichla dohertyi) on-exhibit. This is a new species for the Aviary.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Treasures of the Rainforest:
  • There is now a pair of Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria) on-exhibit. This is a new species for the Aviary. This species was initially intended for the exhibit's collection back when it opened in 2016.
Expedition Kea:
  • The crested coua (Coua cristata) is back on-exhibit in the African Aviary.
South American Pavilion:
  • Many species have moved around, left, or been added to the exhibit. Below is an updated species list.
Habitat 1
  • Helmeted curassow (Pauxi pauxi)
  • Green araçari (Pteroglossus viridis)
  • Venezuelan troupial (Icterus icterus)
Habitat 2
  • Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni)
  • Cuban grassquit (Phonipara canora)
  • Red siskin (Spinus cucullatus)
  • Red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata)
Habitat 3
  • White-faced whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
  • Ringed teal (Callonetta leucophrys)
  • Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
  • Grey-cowled wood-rail (Aramides cajaneus)
  • Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
  • Venezuelan troupial (Icterus icterus)
  • Red-capped cardinal (Paroaria gularis)
Habitat 4 (Outdoor Viewing Only)
  • Plush-crested jay (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Habitat 5
  • White-throated ground dove (Pampusana xanthonura)
  • Guira cuckoo (Guira guira)
  • Puna ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi)
  • Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)
  • Blue-grey tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
  • Silver-beaked tanager (Ramphocelus carbo)
  • Saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola)
Habitat 6
  • Andean goose (Chloephaga melanoptera)
  • White-throated ground dove (Pampusana xanthonura)
  • Amazonian motmot (Momotus momota)
  • Yellow-rumped cacique (Cacicus cela)
  • Venezuelan troupial (Icterus icterus)
  • Bali myna (Leucopsar rothschildi)
Habitat 7
  • Blue-billed curassow (Crax alberti)
  • Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco)
 
Smaggledagle said:
On May 18th, the zoo announced that they acquired (0.0.5) white storks which will become ambassador animals in the future.

Please join us in welcoming our new White Storks! Once grown, these birds will be a part of our Bird Show! You might see them next time you visit Tracy Aviary as their keepers work on acclimating them to their new home! #TracyAviary | Tracy Aviary | Tracy Aviary · Original audio
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On April 30th, the zoo announced the names of the white storks, which are Artemis, Eoster, Eros, Freyr, and Juno respectively. They also announced they hatched at the facility between April 28th and April 30th of 2024 (and not acquired from somewhere else, as I assumed).

Also on April 30th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (2.0) radiated tortoises to North Florida Wildlife Center in Florida.

Tracy Aviary
North Florida Wildlife Center

On May 20th, the zoo announced that 4 white-faced whistling ducks named Cayenne, Chili, Pimento, and Poblano hatched on May 21st, 2024.

Tracy Aviary
 
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Owl Forest:
  • 1.0 greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Roscoe, is now on-exhibit in a habitat that has been vacant for quite some time now. Roscoe is an animal ambassador.
South American Pavilion:
  • The aviary is artificially incubating at least nine Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) eggs. They are expected to hatch early to mid September.
 
The Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park has submitted proposal plans to construct a new garden pavilion and a new indoor bird show building. In connection with the proposal, the historic aquarium building/office house will be relocated to an undisclosed location.

On the historic building: Built in 1938, the structure was one of the first constructed under the grounds' new status as Tracy Aviary. Originally built as an aquarium, it housed four fish tanks and a "village of white mice." Fish were unable to over-winter in the building because indoor temperatures got too cold, and as a result it was only used as an aquarium for one or two summers. The structure was then used as a playhouse for several years while Salt Lake City and the operators of Tracy Aviary debated using it as a caretakers house. Eventually the Aviary won the argument and the structure was used as a home while also reducing costs associated with security. After its use by Tracy Aviary's caretaker, it was used as an office, then housing for interns until 2008, and then offices through 2010. A 2016 engineer report determined the structure was not designed to any building standards, and that the structure was vulnerable to snow loads and weathering. Also in 2016, a contractor estimated the cost of restoring the structure at $600,000.

This will be the Aviary's first major construction project since Eagle Ridge opened in 2019. The architect behind this project is Angela Dean of AMD Architecture, who is also the wife of current director Tim Brown. Dean has been the lead designer on most of the Aviary's major projects in recent years, meaning alternative architects and design approaches have not been seriously considered. While supporters point to her expertise and consistent vision for the campus, the arrangement has drawn scrutiny, as Brown is actively raising funds for a project that will ultimately compensate his spouse's firm, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and conflict of interest.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Destination Argentina:
  • Two Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) hatched on September 2 and are now on exhibit. More chicks are expected to hatch.
South American Pavilion:
  • Two scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) have hatched and are on exhibit with the parents. I believe this is the first hatching of this species at the Aviary since 2019.
 
zoocentral said:
Update from Today's Visit:
South American Pavilion:
  • The aviary is artificially incubating at least nine Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) eggs. They are expected to hatch early to mid September.
Click to expand...
Any particular reason for the Tracy Aviary artificially incubatie the Chilean flamingo eggs versus natural hatching/rearing or is it practice to give the birds dummy eggs and just prior to or upon hatching put the youngsters back with the parents just to have naturally reared chicks?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Any particular reason for the Tracy Aviary artificially incubatie the Chilean flamingo eggs versus natural hatching/rearing or is it practice to give the birds dummy eggs and just prior to or upon hatching put the youngsters back with the parents just to have naturally reared chicks?
Click to expand...
It might be because of predation from enclosure mates, or even to stop eggs being knocked off the nests by quarrelling flamingos
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza:
  • Both Backyard Birds (Destination Argentina) and Kennecott Wetland Experience are closed presumably due to confirmed cases nearby.
  • The 1.1 coscoroba swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) pair in Destination Argentina have been moved off exhibit.
  • The flock of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) has been moved from Pelican Pond to a netted space in Dabbling Duck Pond. They are in with a 1.1 ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) pair.
Destination Argentina:
  • There are now four Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) chicks on exhibit with the rest of the flock. It would seem as the breeding season has ended as the flock has moved off their mounds/nests.
South American Pavilion:
  • The two scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) chicks did not survive.
  • The Aviary's last remaining 1.0 grey-cowled wood-rail (Aramides cajaneus) has passed away. This just leaves one individual each at Bronx Zoo and Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center left in the AZA.
Pelican Pond:
  • Only 1.0 Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) remains on exhibit. Presumably the other 1.0 passed away or was transferred.
 
Update from Today's Visit:

Destination Argentina:
  • The Aviary has added a new species to its collection, as rose-breasted grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus) now reside in the Backyard Birds aviary.
South American Pavilion:
  • There are now white-rumped shamas (Copsychus malabaricus) in the Puna ibis habitat. Presumably these are this year's offspring from the pair in Treasures of the Rainforest.
  • Green heron (Butorides virescens), Hubert, has moved from Kennecott Wetlands Experience to the Puna ibis habitat.
  • There are no longer spotted thick-knees (Burhinus capensis) displayed in the red siskin habitat. The 2.0 individuals have left the Aviary's collection.
  • The Cuban grassquit (Phonipara canora) flock has been removed from the red siskin habitat and is no longer signed.
  • The Amazonian motmot (Momotus momota) is no longer signed. The Aviary was home to a fourteen-year-old female. They were scheduled to receive a male earlier this year from Birmingham Zoo, but I do not believe this transfer ever came to fruition.
Kennecott Wetlands Experience:
  • 1.1 Barrow's goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) are now on display having moved from the Dabbling Duck Pond.
  • While still signed, I did not see any ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) or ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) on display.
  • The exhibit no longer displays American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) or black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus).
Owl Forest:
  • 1.0 peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Achilles, now occupies the habitat previously home to 1.0 greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Roscoe.
Macaws and King Vultures:
  • I have only seen one king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) on display for a while now. The Aviary was home to a 1.1 pair. Presumably one has passed away, been transferred, or moved off exhibit.
Bird Show Sunning Yard West:
  • 0.1 roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Rizzo, has presumably passed away, as she is no longer signed.
  • 0.1 black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina), Tiana, passed away on July 25, 2023. Tiana is survived by her sister, Jasmine, who remains on display.
 
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On November 12th, it was reported that the zoo plans to relocate the Historic Office building to the western edge of the facility (next to Bird Feeder Cafe), with the facility planning to build a new 3,500-square-foot garden/event pavilion.

Tracy Aviary plans to move original 87-year-old structure for new bird show pavilion

On November 24th, the zoo announced that a (1m.0) crested oropendola hatched (which is the first in Tracy Aviary's history to be staff-raised) in May, which is on display in the South American Pavilion.

16K views · 520 reactions | We are so excited to share that our bird care team has successfully hand-raised a Crested Oropenola chick, the first rearing of this species here at Tracy Aviary! Hatched in May 2025, our team quickly made the decision to move forward with hand-rearing this species, as historically these birds have not had success in raising their young here at the Aviary. Within 24 hours, they jumped into action and created a protocol as they had not previously helped rear this species of bird. Several members of our team were involved in incubating, rearing, and helping raise this resilient young male oropendola. Several months later, folks can now stop by and visit him in the South American Pavilion! We sat down with Eric, a member of our bird care team, and talked about his involvement in raising the oropendola chick. Read more in detail about our crested wonder through our blog post, link in bio! | Tracy Aviary
 
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