Zoo Miami / April 26, 2014

Eurasian Teal in Wings of Asia

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

Eurasian Teal in Wings of Asia

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

Black Bulbul in Wings of Asia

Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)

Black-naped Oriole in Wings of Asia

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens.

Black-naped Oriole in Wings of Asia

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens.

Black-naped Oriole in Wings of Asia

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens.

Black-naped Oriole in Wings of Asia

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens.

Black-naped Oriole in Wings of Asia

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) rarely descends to the ground. They forage high in trees and usually stay within the canopy. Nevertheless, they are not birds of the deep forest. Originally from coastal woodlands and mangroves, they have adapted to cultivated areas and parks and gardens.

Red-breasted Goose in Wings of Asia

The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of the most attractive goose species in the world but also one of the rarest. They breed in Arctic Siberia and winter in southeastern Europe. The Red-breasted Goose is the smallest of all Branta species. The Red-breasted Goose often nests close to nests of birds of prey, such as Snowy Owls and Peregrine Falcons, which helps to protect this small goose from mammalian predators such as the Arctic Fox. While wintering, the Red-breasted Goose feeds on grasses, leafs and seeds. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [NOTE: From 2008 to 2012, this bird was listed as Endangered. The designation changed to Vulnerable in 2015.]

Red-breasted Goose in Wings of Asia

The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of the most attractive goose species in the world but also one of the rarest. They breed in Arctic Siberia and winter in southeastern Europe. The Red-breasted Goose is the smallest of all Branta species. The Red-breasted Goose often nests close to nests of birds of prey, such as Snowy Owls and Peregrine Falcons, which helps to protect this small goose from mammalian predators such as the Arctic Fox. While wintering, the Red-breasted Goose feeds on grasses, leafs and seeds. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [NOTE: From 2008 to 2012, this bird was listed as Endangered. The designation changed to Vulnerable in 2015.]

In Wings of Asia

White-breasted Woodswallow in Wings of Asia

The White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) is the only one of the woodswallows with no white in its tail. Its distinctive 'hood' and white breast also help to distinguish it.

White-breasted Woodswallow in Wings of Asia

The White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) is the only one of the woodswallows with no white in its tail. Its distinctive 'hood' and white breast also help to distinguish it.

Red-breasted Goose in Wings of Asia

The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of the most attractive goose species in the world but also one of the rarest. They breed in Arctic Siberia and winter in southeastern Europe. The Red-breasted Goose is the smallest of all Branta species. The Red-breasted Goose often nests close to nests of birds of prey, such as Snowy Owls and Peregrine Falcons, which helps to protect this small goose from mammalian predators such as the Arctic Fox. While wintering, the Red-breasted Goose feeds on grasses, leafs and seeds. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [NOTE: From 2008 to 2012, this bird was listed as Endangered. The designation changed to Vulnerable in 2015.]

Crested Pigeon in Wings of Asia

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)

Crested Pigeon in Wings of Asia

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)

Masked Lapwing in Wings of Asia

The Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) is a large, ground-dwelling bird that is closely related to the waders. They are unmistakable in both appearance and voice, which is a loud "kekekekekekekek."

Red-breasted Goose in Wings of Asia

The Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) is one of the most attractive goose species in the world but also one of the rarest. They breed in Arctic Siberia and winter in southeastern Europe. The Red-breasted Goose is the smallest of all Branta species. The Red-breasted Goose often nests close to nests of birds of prey, such as Snowy Owls and Peregrine Falcons, which helps to protect this small goose from mammalian predators such as the Arctic Fox. While wintering, the Red-breasted Goose feeds on grasses, leafs and seeds. Status: Vulnerable --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [NOTE: From 2008 to 2012, this bird was listed as Endangered. The designation changed to Vulnerable in 2015.]

Northern Shoveler [male] in Wings of Asia

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks, inhabits wetlands across much of North America. The most visible diagnostic characteristic of the northern shoveler is its large spoon-shaped bill, which widens towards the tip and creates a shape unique among North American waterfowl. Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comblike projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water. The bill has has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water. Northern Shoveler pairs are monogamous, and remain together longer than pairs of other dabbling duck species.

Mandarin Duck [male] in Wings of Asia

The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) is a medium-sized perching duck, closely related to the North American Wood Duck. During molting periods when the Mandarin sheds its feathers, the males resemble females but can be distinguished by the red bill. The Mandarin was known and revered in Asia well before the birth of Christ. Westerners were quick to discover them when they began to visit that area of the world -- captive Mandarins were brought to Europe as early as the 1700s. Mandarin Ducks are frequently featured in Oriental art and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity.

Northern Shoveler [male] in Wings of Asia

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks, inhabits wetlands across much of North America. The most visible diagnostic characteristic of the northern shoveler is its large spoon-shaped bill, which widens towards the tip and creates a shape unique among North American waterfowl. Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comblike projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water. The bill has has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water. Northern Shoveler pairs are monogamous, and remain together longer than pairs of other dabbling duck species.

Northern Shoveler [male] in Wings of Asia

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks, inhabits wetlands across much of North America. The most visible diagnostic characteristic of the northern shoveler is its large spoon-shaped bill, which widens towards the tip and creates a shape unique among North American waterfowl. Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comblike projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water. The bill has has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water. Northern Shoveler pairs are monogamous, and remain together longer than pairs of other dabbling duck species.

Northern Shoveler [male] in Wings of Asia

The Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks, inhabits wetlands across much of North America. The most visible diagnostic characteristic of the northern shoveler is its large spoon-shaped bill, which widens towards the tip and creates a shape unique among North American waterfowl. Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comblike projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water. The bill has has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water. Northern Shoveler pairs are monogamous, and remain together longer than pairs of other dabbling duck species.

Lesser Whistling Duck in Wings of Asia

Lesser Whistling Duck aka Indian Whistling Duck or Javan Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica)

Baikal Teal in Wings of Asia

Baikal Teal (Anas formosa)

White-winged Wood Duck in Wings of Asia

The White-winged Wood Duck (Cairina scutulata) is one of the largest species of duck. The most noticeable feature on adult birds is a dark body contrasting with a whitish head and neck. They are difficult to find in the wild as they spend the days perched on high trees. They feed in the morning and evening, flying down to the water to find invertebrates and small fish. It inhabits stagnant or slow-flowing natural and artificial wetlands, within or adjacent to evergreen, deciduous or swamp forests, on which it depends for roosting and nesting, usually in tree-holes.This forest duck is listed as Endangered because it has a very small and fragmented population which is undergoing a very rapid and continuing decline as a result of the loss of and disturbance to riverine habitats. Status: Endangered --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

In Wings of Asia

Azure-winged Magpie in Wings of Asia

The Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) has a long light-blue tail and wings, a grey back, white throat and a black cap on the top of its head. European birds are distinguished from Asian birds by their lack of a pale blue tail spot and much smaller size. This species of magpie travel together in groups up to 30 large. They also nest and forest together. The Azure-winged Magpie appears to be relatively intelligent having a complex system of calls and are able to detect any foreign eggs in their nests and weed them out (such as those from cuckoos, well known for this old trick). This species is found in the wild in Spain, Portugal and the Far East (China, Korea and Japan), but it is not found anywhere in between. How could this happen? Perhaps magpies lived all over Europe and Asia and died out over time, leaving only these two separated populations today; however, DNA analysis now suggests that these two subspecies are in fact separate species.

Azure-winged Magpie in Wings of Asia

The Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) has a long light-blue tail and wings, a grey back, white throat and a black cap on the top of its head. European birds are distinguished from Asian birds by their lack of a pale blue tail spot and much smaller size. This species of magpie travel together in groups up to 30 large. They also nest and forest together. The Azure-winged Magpie appears to be relatively intelligent having a complex system of calls and are able to detect any foreign eggs in their nests and weed them out (such as those from cuckoos, well known for this old trick). This species is found in the wild in Spain, Portugal and the Far East (China, Korea and Japan), but it is not found anywhere in between. How could this happen? Perhaps magpies lived all over Europe and Asia and died out over time, leaving only these two separated populations today; however, DNA analysis now suggests that these two subspecies are in fact separate species.

Mandarin Duck [female] in Wings of Asia

The Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) is a medium-sized perching duck, closely related to the North American Wood Duck. During molting periods when the Mandarin sheds its feathers, the males resemble females but can be distinguished by the red bill. The Mandarin was known and revered in Asia well before the birth of Christ. Westerners were quick to discover them when they began to visit that area of the world -- captive Mandarins were brought to Europe as early as the 1700s. Mandarin Ducks are frequently featured in Oriental art and are regarded as a symbol of conjugal affection and fidelity.

Nicobar Pigeon in Wings of Asia

The Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) is one of the most beautiful of the many species of pigeons or doves. Like all pigeons, the Nicobar pigeon is rather thick-set with a relatively small head, but is heavier than most pigeons the same size. The general coloration is dark green iridescent, with a short white tail. Display plumage of the neck is green with coppery and greenish-blue overtones. Feathers of the mantle and wing coverts are pointed. The bill is black, the legs are red, and the iris is white in adult females, but brown in sub-adults and males. The Nicobar Pigeon is found in southeast Asia, particularly on the Nicobar islands to New Guinea, and as far north as the Philippines. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Great Argus Pheasant in Wings of Asia

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Great Argus Pheasant in Wings of Asia

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Great Argus Pheasant in Wings of Asia

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Great Argus Pheasant in Wings of Asia

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Great Argus Pheasant in Wings of Asia

One of the most unusual of all bird species, the Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus) males are unmistakable with massive primary, secondary and tail feathers. The face is blue, the crown is black with a distinctive short crest. The upperparts are brown, finely mottled with buff; iridescent ocelli can be found on the wings and tail. The wings can continue to grow until the bird reaches its sixth year. The male is among the largest of all pheasants. Females are similar but smaller than males; they also lack the ornate tail and wings. The Argus Pheasant has long tail feathers with beautifully ornate-eye-like designs on the ends of them. The male is astoundingly large; he can reach as much as 3 feet in length. The Argus Pheasant has one of the loudest calls of all birds. This call helps to ward off enemies as well as locate family members gone astray. The Argus Pheasant seems to only associate with their own families. Both the male and the female have a part in hatching and raising their young. They are not very social outside of their families unless they are performing the mating ritual. Status: Near Threatened --> Status information found at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Koi and African Cichlids in Wings of Asia

Koi or more specifically - nishikigoi - literally "brocaded carp", are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that are commonly kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens. They are sometimes also called Japanese carp.

Koi and African Cichlids in Wings of Asia

Koi or more specifically - nishikigoi - literally "brocaded carp", are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that are commonly kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens. They are sometimes also called Japanese carp.

Koi in Wings of Asia

Koi or more specifically - nishikigoi - literally "brocaded carp", are ornamental domesticated varieties of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that are commonly kept for decorative purposes in outdoor ponds and water gardens. They are sometimes also called Japanese carp.

Collared Finchbill in Wings of Asia

Collared Finchbill (Spizixos semitorques)

Siamese Fireback [male] in Wings of Asia

Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi) - Yes, this beauty is slightly blurred; however, he wouldn't stop to pose :)

White-cheeked Bulbul in Wings of Asia

White-cheeked Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys)

Javan Pond Heron in Wings of Asia

Javan Pond Heron [breeding plummage] (Ardeola speciosa)

Javan Pond Heron in Wings of Asia

Javan Pond Heron [breeding plummage] (Ardeola speciosa)

Siamese Fireback [female] in Wings of Asia

Siamese Fireback (Lophura diardi)