Sylvan Heights is the best by far. I can atest that @TinoPup's list is largely correct, although they have greatly expanded their non waterfowl collection in recent years.
Best I have seen in a normal zoo include Bronx, Central Park (27 species in 2017), Miami (28 species signed), and San Antonio (daw 20 species in September, surely an under count).
San Diego might not be the best contender for exhibits, but both the Zoo and Safari Park have a wide variety of waterfowl.
Nene, Magpie-Goose, Freckled Duck, Baer's Pochard, Smew, Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Goose, Common Shelduck, African Pygmy Goose, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Scaly-sided Merganser, White-winged Wood Duck, and wild-type Swan Goose as notables. Many other more common species as well and I probably missed other more noteworthy species too.
I think the San Diego Zoo has the best collection of waterfowl in my opinion. There are probably around 20-25 species and the ones I can think of from the top of my head are:
EDIT: Checking the list, I count 37 species on display at the Zoo. I know the Safari Park displays another 15-20 species the zoo does not, plus whatever else they have bts both places.
Just remembered the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, I don't know what their exhibits are like but they hold quite a variety of waterfowl. (As evidenced by the name )
Does the SDZ actually have any captive Mallards? I know there are wild ones around the zoo, like I said above, but do they actually own any? I was just wondering because I just remembered that they have information signs for them at the koi pond and the entrance flamingo exhibit.
I dont know this collection but I think what seems particularly impressive from having a look through the gallery and a browse of their website is how consistent they are.
No mammals, just birds, I think that focus is admirable. So many bird parks and aviaries including WWT in the UK (which is an incredibly organization) do end up having mammals like Asian short clawed otters to draw the crowds.
Does the SDZ actually have any captive Mallards? I know there are wild ones around the zoo, like I said above, but do they actually own any? I was just wondering because I just remembered that they have information signs for them at the koi pond and the entrance flamingo exhibit.
I don't believe they do. They're free loaders, same as some other native species do on the big ponds at the Safari Park. Free food and fairly safe living.
Just remembered the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy, I don't know what their exhibits are like but they hold quite a variety of waterfowl. (As evidenced by the name )
I dont know this collection but I think what seems particularly impressive from having a look through the gallery and a browse of their website is how consistent they are.
No mammals, just birds, I think that focus is admirable. So many bird parks and aviaries including WWT in the UK (which is an incredibly organization) do end up having mammals like Asian short clawed otters to draw the crowds.
Laysan Duck are rare in zoos but quite common in private collections. Madagascar Teal is rare and I do not believe that species is around privately, though I could be wrong.
I recommend anyone interested in North American waterfowl collections check out these threads:
I know at one point Palm Beach zoo boasted the most diverse collection of waterfowl in the country, don't know exact numbers, but that was back in early 2010s. The director at the time was big into waterfowl but has since left and a lot of the species were sent off after
Laysan Duck are rare in zoos but quite common in private collections. Madagascar Teal is rare and I do not believe that species is around privately, though I could be wrong.
I recommend anyone interested in North American waterfowl collections check out these threads:
Madagascar Teal are around in the private sector in Europe, some studbook birds, some not. They’re not wonderfully popular, partly because they can be unpleasantly aggressive to other small ducks.
Laysan Duck are rare in zoos but quite common in private collections. Madagascar Teal is rare and I do not believe that species is around privately, though I could be wrong.
I recommend anyone interested in North American waterfowl collections check out these threads:
Buttonwood Park Zoo has a really nice waterfowl collection- at least 20 species, which is impressive for a small zoo. A lot of the waterfowl are in the Rainforest exhibit, mixed with the bison, or mixed with the beavers.
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