WildView™

July 20, 2021

Oh, Baby

- as seen by -

Helen Solecki

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Meet the Bird Department’s newest arrivals at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo.

This year in our World of Birds nursery, we are raising a tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), a trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator), and two Andean cock-of-the-rocks (Rupicola peruvianus). Each chick poses unique challenges and joys.

We hand-reared our tawny frogmouth chick (upper left) as this bird will become an ambassador animal. Our frogmouth is practicing perching skills; it will stand straight up, perfectly mimicking a branch to blend with its environment. Comfort around humans from an early age is necessary so they recognize people as a positive presence and source of food.

Our cock-of-the-rock chicks are in our nursery (bottom left and upper right). They beg for food and grow each day as their vibrant feathers come in. They were hatched by their mother and raised until a few weeks old at which point we pulled them for weaning to ensure proper health and development. They will be introduced back into the group once they are older.

Our swan cygnet practices swimming skills in our nursery (bottom right). When it fledges and grows, it will return to the ponds at the zoo.

In nature, these birds are from different parts of the world. Tawny frogmouths come from Australia and Tasmania, Andean cock-of-the-rocks live in the Andes Mountains from Venezuela to Bolivia, and trumpeter swans can be found in North America. All three birds’ conservation status is Least Concern according to IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species, although they are all vulnerable to human disturbance and habitat loss.

Come and visit the World of Birds and Northern Ponds exhibits at the Bronx Zoo to learn more about these fascinating species.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week is National Zookeeper Week, July 18-24, 2021, a time to recognize our keepers’ hard work, conservation efforts, and passion in caring for animals.

Nikon D5

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