Birds

Guacamai de front vermell

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:14:31 +0000

Red-fronted macaw

This small macaw, approximately 60 cms long, is only found in the rainforests in the provinces of Cochabamba, Potosí and Santa Cruz in Bolivia, at altitudes of between 1,000 and 3,000 metres. Given this small range and the fact that there are very few specimens in captivity, it is one of the least known of the South American parrots, and is currently in grave danger of extinction.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 17:14

Ara rubrogenys

Bolivia

Degree of risk

Critically endangered

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Psittacidae

450-650 g

55 - 60 cm

More than 15 years

Habitat

Forest

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

25-27

Baby

1 to 3

Description

The red-fronted macaw has green plumage on its body, with blue on the tips of the wings and a green tail that is longer than the entire body. The area surrounding the eye is bald, the forehead and back are red, as well as a round spot located behind the eyes and its beak is black.

Habitat

It only lives in dry forests in a limited region of central Bolivia, in the provinces of Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca, between 1000 and 2500 metres above sea level.

Feeding

It feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and different types of plant matter.

Reproduction

It makes nests in holes in trees and, more rarely, on platforms dug into the steep banks of rivers. It lays one to three eggs that are incubated for some 26 days (data taken from experiences with this species in captivity at different zoos).

Conduct

They travel in pairs or in small family groups, sometimes made up of over a dozen individuals.

Status and conservation programs

Like all macaws, their populations are in danger of extinction today, due to the destruction of their habitat and excessive capturing for the pet trade. In this case, the situation is worse due to their small area of distribution and the limited original population.

The Barcelona Zoo participates in the EEP for this species.

Reating

Birds

Space in the Zoo

Palmeral

Cacatua sulfúria

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:58:06 +0000

Lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo

The lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo is native to Sulawesi, Timor and other Sunda Islands. It lives in open areas with scattered trees, farming land and edges of forests from sea level up to mountainous areas of over 500 metres in height. It nests in holes in trees and is now in serious danger of extinction due to over-capturing for use as a pet.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 16:58

Cacatua sulphurea

Sulawesi, Java, Timor and adjacent islands

Degree of risk

Critically endangered

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Cacatuidae

350 g

33 cm

Up to 40 years

Habitat

Forest

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

Baby

2 to 3

Description

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a bird in the Cacatua family—in the same order as parrots and macaws, Psittaciformes—that is characterised by its bright white plumage, although the crest, erectile and quite large, is yellow, as well as the ventral area of the tail and cheeks.

Habitat

It primarily inhabits forests and open fields up to altitudes of 1200 metres on the islands of Sulawesi, Timor and the Sundas.

Feeding

It mainly eats seeds and fruits.

Reproduction

The breeding season starts in September or October, although very little is known of this aspect of its biology. It builds its nest in holes in trees, padding it with plant matter, where it lays two or three eggs that both the male and female incubate for a period of some 27 days. With regard to its breeding biology, this has only been determined due to specimens in zoos.

Conduct

Status and conservation programs

It is critically endangered. Formerly common and quite well rooted in its islands of origin, the indiscriminate capture of specimens for private collections and the pet trade has caused a sharp drop in this species’ numbers, estimated at fewer than 7000 in freedom.

Reating

Birds

Cacatua de cresta groga

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:46:06 +0000

Triton sulphur-crested cockatoo

The triton cockatoo is a very adaptable bird found both in the rain forests and in the lowland savannah or agricultural lands of New Guinea and other islands to the north and east.

Outside the breeding season, they form large groups of a strongly social character. When they feed in open spaces, some of the group keep watch at the top of a tree, although this does not occur when they feed inside the forest.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 16:46

Cacatua galerita

It mainly inhabits primary rainforests, open fields and evergreen forests up to 1400 metres high in New Guinea and Australia.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Cacatuidae

815-975 g

45-55 cm

Up to 40 years

Habitat

Forest

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

25-27

Baby

2 to 3

Description

The yellow-crested cockatoo is in the same order as parrots and macaws—Psittaciformes—although it belongs to a family containing all Cacatuas, which are taxonomically very different from other Psittacidae. Its plumage is mainly white, although it has a considerably long yellow crest, which it can raise. Sometimes, and depending on the subspecies, the orbital area, feather free, can be white, blue or greyish.

Habitat

It mainly inhabits primary rainforests, open fields and evergreen forests up to 1400 metres high in New Guinea and Australia.

Feeding

It mainly feeds on seeds and fruits, although it can complement this diet with bugs, insects and larvae, which it captures by pecking the ground.

Reproduction

The breeding season runs from August to January in Australia and from May to September in New Guinea. It builds its nest in holes in trees, padding it with plant matter, where it lays two or three eggs that both the male and female incubate for a period of 25 to 27 days. It is decidedly territorial during the breeding period.

Conduct

Even though it is territorial and solitary during the breeding period, outside this time it can form quite large groups, especially for travel—sometimes many kilometres—searching for food.

Status and conservation programs

It is not endangered, although its loss of habitat and capture for the pet market represent a constant pressure that leads to a constant drop in numbers and could entail the species being in greater danger. In New Guinea, the loss of habitat is starting to be a real problem for island populations.

Reating

Birds

Cacatua blanca

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:34:33 +0000

White cockatoo

This species, now rarely found in the wild, inhabits the forests of the islands of Halmahera, Tidore, Batjan and Obi among others, in the Moluccan archipelago.
A tree-dweller, it is most often found in pairs or small groups in the topmost branches of the highest trees in the forest. Although it was common until a few years ago, its numbers have declined rapidly and it is difficult to see nowadays.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 16:34

Cacatua alba

Forests of islands Moluccas

Degree of risk

Endangered

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Cacatuidae

500-630 g

46 cm

Up to 30 years

Habitat

Forest

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

27-28

Baby

2 to 3

Description

The white cockatoo is a bird in the Cacatua family, in the Psittaciformes order, which is primarily characterised by the bright white colour of its plumage. It has a slight yellowish hue on the inside of its wings and tail, and the orbital skin, with no feathers, is a blue colour. It has a considerably long crest, which moves forward slightly when standing on end. It has the classic parrot shape, although it is more robust and compact.

Habitat

It mainly inhabits primary low-lying forests and lands that are quite flat and plains on the Maluka Islands.

Feeding

It mainly feeds on seeds and fruits, although recent studies have revealed that it can complement this diet with quite large insects.

Reproduction

The breeding season generally starts in May, although nesting attempts have been reported even earlier. It makes its nest in holes in trees, laying two to three eggs, which it incubates from 27 to 28 days.

Conduct

It is quite solitary—generally in a pair—and larger groups have rarely been witnessed, always with very few individuals.

Status and conservation programs

It is endangered. Due to the loss of habitat and capture of birds for the pet market, this species has shrunk greatly, moving from a vulnerable status to seriously endangered in a short time. If the island’s development pace and individual development there continues at the same rate, it is estimated that this cockatoo may be irreversibly headed for extinction.

Reating

Birds

Space in the Zoo

Palmeral

Cotinga metàl·lic

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:57:58 +0000

Spangled cotinga

Spangled cotingas are striking tropical birds, living in the forests and jungles of the north of South America, from Venezuela and the Guyanas to Colombia, Bolivia and the Amazon region of Brazil.

It eats mainly fruit and the males and females are quite distinct: the males have spectacularly bright plumage, while the females are a much duller brownish colour.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 15:57

Cotinga cayana

North of South America, from Venezuela to Colombia and guava, Bolivia and the Amazon region of Brazil.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Cotingidae

56-72 g

18 - 22 cm

More than 10 years

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

23-25

Baby

1 to 3

Description

The Spangled cotinga is an eye-catching colourful tropical bird, essentially standing out due to its distinct sexual dimorphism: males have spectacularly coloured plumage—blue and turquoise, with purple hues on the wings, tail and scapular feathers, with a bright purple gular area—while the females are much more discreet, a brownish colour with greys on the back and lighter brown on the dorsal and belly areas.

Habitat

They live in the forests and jungles of northern South America, from Venezuela and the Guianas to Colombia, Bolivia and the Amazon region of Brazil, up to altitudes of 600 metres. They rarely go higher than this.

Feeding

Fundamentally frugivorous, even though during breeding season it adds several insect species to its diet.

Reproduction

It nests in trees with some height, creating a cup shaped nest padded with all types of plant matter, where it lays a single egg that is incubated for no longer than 20 days.

Conduct

When a predator approaches the nest, cotingas fly up to the treetops, performing aerial acrobats and spreading their tails like a fan to attract the intruder and expel them. Their antics to distract intruders are conspicuous and simply wonderful.

It is resident and sedentary, although nomadic movements of this species are periodically seen in Venezuela, dependent on the climate and rainfall.

Status and conservation programs

It is not endangered and is abundant and common in forests and jungles in its entire area of distribution.

Reating

Birds

Space in the Zoo

Aviarium

Corb de pit blanc

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:19:35 +0000

Pied crow

The Pied crow is characterised by white markings on its chest and around its neck. The couple, with no visual distinction between the male and female, makes nests in isolated trees and other high-up places. It is an omnivorous animal, found in open areas and populated zones of a large part of sub-Saharan Africa. It usually lives with its breeding partner and in small family groups, although it can form part of a large flock when food supplies are abundant.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 15:19

Corvus albus

South of the Sahara.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Corvidae

400-700 g

40 - 50 cm

More than 30 years

Habitat

Savannah

Social life

Gregarious

Feeding

Omnivorous

Oviparous

Days

18-19

Baby

1 to 7

Description

The black colour with blue and purple highlights on the head, neck, top of the breast and wings contrasts with the white neck that surrounds the dorsal area, extending to the belly and under the wings.

Habitat

The Pied crow inhabits almost all open regions of Africa to south of the Sahara.

Feeding

With omnivorous diets, they are well-adapted to human presence, frequently visiting the areas surrounding crops, towns and even cities searching for food. They eat all types of invertebrates (spiders, locusts, beetles, termites and snails) and small vertebrates (frogs, lizards, rodents, fish, small birds and eggs). They can hunt birds and bats while in flight and also use the remains. As a good omnivore, they also eat a large variety of seeds, fruits and roots. They normally eat in somewhat large groups.

Reproduction

Monogamous, the two members of the pair build a large cup-shaped nest made of twigs, roots and sometimes wire, covering the inside with mud, manure, wool, string and grass, located high in a tree or in some other high structure. Both members of the pair incubate the eggs, normally four or five, for some 18 or 19 days, feeding them after they hatch.

Conduct

Crows are known to be intelligent birds, with proof of highly-complex behaviours seen in different species. They have been seen tricking other animals in different ways to capture them; they can avoid traps; follow predators like wolves and coyotes to take advantage of the food they hunt; drop food from heights onto hard surfaces to access the soft part inside; and use objects as tools, among other actions.

Status and conservation programs

Common and abundant throughout its area of distribution, it is not endangered and in South Africa it is even considered a pest and, thus, a species that must be controlled. There is an order to destroy nests in many areas of the country.

Reating

Birds

Rul-rul crestat

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 08:48:25 +0000

Crested partridge

The crested partridge is a small, ground-dwelling bird, related to quail and pheasants, that lives in the jungles and forests of south-west Asia and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

It is a solitary bird and an omnivore. It makes its nest in the ground, hidden among the vegetation, where it lays from 5 to 6 eggs which it incubates for 18 to 19 days.
The males and females are very distinct from each other: the colours of the two are very different and the male has a bright red crest.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 09:48

Rollulus rouloul

Southeast Asia and islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Degree of risk

Near threatened

Class

Aves

Order

Galliformes

Family

Phasianidae

202-232 g

25-27 cm

Up to 8 years

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Solitary

Feeding

Omnivorous

Oviparous

Days

18-19

Baby

5 to 6

Description

The crested wood partridge is a small bird with terrestrial habits, related to quails, partridges and pheasants. It is a very enigmatic and unsociable bird, some 25 cm long, with clear sexual dimorphism: the colouring of the two genders is very different and the male also has a bright-red crest. Indeed, the male is completely blue and black—although the dorsal and rump have olive tones and the wings are more brownish—while the female has mostly green plumage, except for the wings, brown, and the head, totally grey.

Habitat

It lives in tropical woods and jungles in Southeast Asia and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Feeding

Omnivorous, it takes advantage of periods with abundant fruits to feed, while eating insects and seeds during other periods. It sometimes associates with wild boars to eat the remains from the fruits the boar eats.

Reproduction

Crested wood partridges make their nests on the ground, hidden among vegetation, in which they lay five or six eggs. The incubation period is 18 to 19 days and is done completely by the female from beginning to end.

Conduct

Solitary and resident in their entire area of distribution.

Status and conservation programs

Today, their populations are endangered, primarily due to the deforestation of their jungle habitat. They have not been the object of much conservation in their countries of origin, making their highly vulnerable to all types of destruction of habitat.

Reating

Birds

Space in the Zoo

Aviarium

Hoco de carúncula groga

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 08:26:08 +0000

Great curassow

This large forest-dwelling bird can weigh up to 5 kg and lives mainly on the ground, in a wide area covering the east of Mexico to the west of Colombia and Ecuador.

They live in pairs or small family groups during the breeding season. The destruction of their habitat and hunting means that today they are only found in the more remote areas of their range.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 09:26

Crax rubra

From eastern Mexico to western Colombia and Ecuador.

Degree of risk

Near threatened

Class

Aves

Order

Galliformes

Family

Cracidae

3100-4800 g

84 - 92 cm

Up to 24 years

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Solitary

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

30-32

Baby

Description

This large forest bird, which can weigh nearly five kg with primarily terrestrial habits, has marked sexual dimorphism, as males have black plumage and a large yellow knob at the base of their bill, while females are reddish coloured on their underbellies and wings, with striking striped plumage on their head, neck and dorsal, which runs to the tip of the tail.

Habitat

It inhabits tropical rainforests in an extensive area running from southern Mexico to western Colombia and Ecuador.

Feeding

They feed on seeds, fruits, tender shoots and different types of small animals they find on the jungle floor.

Reproduction

With solitary customs, it lives in pairs or small family groups during the reproduction period. It builds a basket like nest with branches, leaves and a variety of plant matter, in which it lays two white eggs that are incubated from 28 to 32 days. This species’ behaviour is very odd, as it builds several nests, but only completes the one it ends up using.

Conduct

Sedentary, although in some spots of its distribution area it can make short movements, especially during the dry season.

Status and conservation programs

The destruction of their habitat and overhunting have led to their only being one bird common to the most remote regions of their area of distribution. The rest are considered vulnerable with a negative outlook.

Reating

Birds

Turac de Guinea

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 08:01:36 +0000

Senegal Turaco

These attractive jungle birds from West Africa live on fruit, flowers and shoots. They live in gallery forests and next to crop fields from sea level up to 1,100 metres.
Their plumage features two pigments that do not exist in any other bird: turacine (red) and turacoverdin (green). The red colour is found under the wings and is only visible when the birds are in flight.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 09:01

Tauraco persa

Forests of West Africa

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Aves

Order

Cuculiformes

Family

Musophagidae

225-290 g

40-43 cm

Up to 12 years

Habitat

Jungle

Social life

Solitary

Feeding

Frugivorous

Oviparous

Days

21-23

Baby

Description

The Guinea turaco is a mid-sized bird some 40 cm long, with green colouring on its head, breast and dorsal, which turns a deep bluish or lilac tone on the wings to the tips of its long tail. It has a striking green crest and a small reddish coloured beak. A slash of bright white in the inner corners of the eyes and a red circle around them adds a splash of colour to this part of its face. The subspecies at the Zoo does not have the long white mark across the top of its cheeks. Turacos’ plumage has two pigments unique to the entire bird world: turacine (a red colour) and turacoverdin (a green colour). The red is mainly under their wings and only visible when they fly.

Habitat

They occupy gallery forests and the edges of croplands from sea level to 1100 metres high.

Feeding

These striking jungle birds from western Africa feed on fruit, flowers and shoots.

Reproduction

It generally breeds between May and June, although in some of its areas of distribution it may do so between December and February. It builds a platform of branches and twigs interwoven with plant matter of different origins some five metres from the ground, in which it generally lays two spherical whitish coloured eggs, which both members of the pair incubate for 21 to 23 days.

Conduct

Sedentary and highly territorial. They remain in the same territory the entire year and aggressively defend them. They may move between drier and wetter areas depending on the food sources available.

Status and conservation programs

Abundant and common in the large part of its territory.

Reating

Birds

Space in the Zoo

Aviarium

Gaig blau comú

atenea — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:48:48 +0000

European roller

This colourful migratory bird arrives in our lands from Africa between April and May and starts off on its long southward journey again in the autumn, after breeding. Nests in holes in trees or in human constructions.

They primarily feed on insects and occasionally on small vertebrates. At present, their populations have been affected by the destruction of their habitat and by the intensive use of insecticides, which make the amount of available pray decrease.

atenea Tue, 12/13/2016 - 08:48

Coracias garrulus

North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean european zone, and central Europe to the Caspian Sea and Middle East. Wintering south of the Sahara.

Degree of risk

Least Concern

Class

Aves

Order

Coraciiformes

Family

Coraciidae

130-160 g

31-32 cm

Up to 9 years

Habitat

Savannah

Social life

Solitary

Feeding

Insectivorous

Oviparous

Days

17-19

Baby

3 to 6

Description

Medium sized bird close to 32 cm long, which is distinguished by its blue and turquoise plumage, especially at the wing shoulders, where the blue is darker and more eye-catching. The dorsal is light brown and the flight—or primary—feathers are black. It has a powerful thick blackish beak.

Habitat

It generally inhabits warm sunny spaces from plains to 100 metres high, although it can locally occupy higher altitudes up to 2500 metres. It tends to select open areas with scattered holm oaks and savannahs with low vegetation, with diverse surrounding wooded areas.

Feeding

They primarily feed on insects and occasionally on small vertebrates.

Reproduction

It nests in holes in trees or in human constructions in May and June, and is territorial and solitary. It is rarely semi-colonial. Nests are usually found in holes in trees or in abandoned constructions in which they lay three to six eggs that are mainly incubated by the females for 17 to 19 days.

Conduct

A migratory bird, it arrives in our lands from Africa between April and May and starts off on its journey south again in the autumn, after breeding.

Status and conservation programs

At present, their populations have been affected by the destruction of their habitat, and by the intensive use of insecticides, which make the amount of available pray decrease.

Reating

Birds