When I began my visit today, the sun was shining brightly!! I had just finished going around the Wings of Asia (aviary) and was starting for a second "go-round" when the skies opened up. Unfortunately, the rains never stopped so that was the end of my trip to the zoo. The birds are found in an exhbit called the "Wings of Asia." A couple of the bird photos are blurry . . . some of the birds would just not cooperate and stay still long enough for me to get a good shot :)
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Denise > Near the entrance area (September 3, 2006)
Denise > Near the entrance area (September 3, 2006)
Denise > American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) (September 3, 2006) The American White Pelican lives in North and Central America and is one of the largest of the 8 true species of pelicans. It is different from other pelicans in that it does not drop from great heights to catch its prey; it simply floats along the water and scoops up fish with its enormous bill. During mating season, the male develops a fibrous plate on the upper part of the beak. This is a unique characteristic of the White Pelican. If you are so inclined, here you will find a very interesting description of the American White Pelican from John James Audubon's "Birds of America."
Denise > Caribbean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) (September 3, 2006) Also called the American flamingo, this species is the most brightly colored and largest of all flamingos. With their bright feathers and strongly hooked bills, flamingos are among the most easily recognized waterbirds. Their pink or reddish color comes from the rich sources of carotenoid pigments (like the pigments of carrots) in the algae and small crustaceans that the birds eat. The Caribbean flamingos are the brightest, showing their true colors of red, pink, or orange on their legs, bills, and faces. They are a scarlet pink color overall and have black primary feathers. Their bill is downward bending at its midpoint. They have large bodies and flexible long necks topped with a small head. The flamingo's long legs and feet are bare, and their toes are webbed, which is good for wading. Young birds are mostly grey and do not develop their characteristic pink until after the first year. The sexes are similar in appearance.
Denise > Caribbean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) (September 3, 2006)
Denise > (September 3, 2006)
Denise > Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) (September 3, 2006) The tiger once ranged widely across Asia, from Turkey in the west to the eastern coast of Russia (Nowell and Jackson, 1996). Over the past 100 years tigers have disappeared from southwest and central Asia, from two Indonesian islands (Java and Bali) and from large areas of Southeast and Eastern Asia. Tigers have lost 93% of their historic range (Sanderson et al., 2006). Tigers are currently found in twelve Asian range states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Viet Nam. They may still persist in North Korea, although there has been no recent confirmed evidence. It is the largest living member of the cat family and no two animals are the same; each Bengal Tiger has its own pattern of stripes. Around the year 1900, there were as many as 50,000 Bengal Tigers in India. But by the year 1972, there were only about 1,800 Bengal tigers left. Through an attempt to conserve the existence of the tiger, there are currently about 4,000 tigers remaining. Status: Endangered Location and status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Denise > Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) (September 3, 2006)
Denise > Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) (September 3, 2006) Siamang (SEE-uh-mang) belong to the family Hylobatidae, which includes all 11 gibbon (or lesser ape) species. It is the largest of the lesser apes. Siamangs are native to the island of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Siamangs sing so loudly that it can be heard for up to 3 miles (4.8 km). To produce this loud call, siamangs have a hairless, reddish-brown or gray throat (laryngeal) pouch which acts as a resonator to enhance the carrying of their call. When not in use, the pouch is hidden under their long, shaggy, jet-black fur. When inflated, the pouch is about the size of a siamang’s head, and amplifies its hooting and barking to ear-splitting levels. Usually involving the adult pair, the male and female sing different but coordinated parts; songs have a definite beginning, middle and end. Each elaborate duet begins slowly, then accelerates in speed. A song lasts about 18 seconds and is repeated for about 15 minutes. The Siamang is the largest of the lesser apes. Siamangs and gibbons are the only anthropoid apes that habitually walk erect like humans. In their treetop habitat, they will walk along a vine as if on a tightrope with their hands held high for balance. The Siamang is distinctive for two reasons. The first is that two fingers on each hand are fused together (hence the name "syndactylus"). The second is the large "gular sac" (found in the male of the species), which is a throat pouch that can be inflated to the size of its head, allowing the Siamang to make loud resonating calls or songs. This species is found in Indonesia (Barisan Mountains of west-central Sumatra), Malaysia (mountains of the Malay Peninsula south of the Perak River), and a small area of southern peninsular Thailand (Chivers 1974; Khan, 1970; O’Brien et al. 2003; Treesucon and Tantithadapitak 1997). Status: Endangered Location and status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Near the entrance area (September 3, 2006)
> Near the entrance area (September 3, 2006)
Near the entrance area (September 3, 2006)
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