Saturday, October 5, 2024

Maryland Zoo: Aviary

In the heart of the African Water Hole and Grasslands area of the zoo sits the African Aviary.  The Aviary is built around an ancient White Oak.  It's an immersive habitat where guests can enter and walk on boardwalks among the 12 species of birds.


Von Der DECKEN'S HORNBILL
Tockus deckeni
(female)

HADADA IBIS
Bostrychia hagedash

HADADA IBIS mate roosting on their nest

WHITE-BREASTED CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax lucidus

SPUR-WINGED LAPWING
Vallenus spinosus


AFRICAN SPOONBILL
Platalea alba

There were four African Spoonbills in the Aviary and this one was particularly curious about me.  I'm not saying he was "friendly."  There is no evidence to suggest that birds are ever friendly, that's a human emotion.  While some birds can act like friends to humans, they do not possess the intelligence to behave like friends.  Companions, even flock-mates, but friendship isn't an accurate description of avian behavior.  And I was also quite curious about him--a true meeting of the minds.

FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCK
Dendrocygna bicolor

WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCK
Dendrocygna viduata

MARBLED TEAL
Marmaronetta angustirostris

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