Download Interpretive - Maryland Zoo

African Aviary
Interpretive Guide
Exhibit Theme: Wetland Conservation
Common Threats: Habitat loss and degradation
Many of the animals in this exhibit are impacted by wetland habitat loss and
degradation.
Exhibit Conservation Messaging:
Animals living in our region of the world are also affected by wetland habitat loss and
degradation.
Pollution does more than make our environment look bad; it can harm wildlife.
Everywhere rain falls, it washes trash, chemicals, agricultural sediment and other forms
of pollution away, where it eventually concentrates in wetland habitats, like the
Chesapeake Bay.
Conservation Ask: Protect local habitats for the animals that live in your area.
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4/25/2016
Buy local produce and other food items that have been sustainably
harvested, with a minimal impact on the environment.
Help conserve habitat; conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and
avoid pouring chemicals down the drain.
Use non-toxic, lead free bullets; hunting with lead-core bullets can cause
lead-poisoning in animals that consume lead-tainted meat.
African Aviary Interpretive Guide
The Maryland Zoo
Marbled Teal
Marmaronetta angustirostris
Description:
 Length: 15-19 in (38-48 cm)
 Wingspan: 22-24 in (55-60 cm)
 Weight: 0.5-1.3 lbs (240-600g)
 Physical Description:
o A medium sized duck with a relatively long neck and wings.
o The body is mostly brown with cream-white speckling, giving them a “marbled”
appearance.
o It has a dark eye patch that goes from the eye to the back of the head.
o The bill and legs are dark.
 Sexual Dimorphism: Males are larger than females
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Northwest Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and Central Asia
 Habitat: Marbled teal prefer brackish and freshwater wetlands with lots of vegetation.
Ponds, lakes, marshes, river deltas and flooded fields are common habitats for the
marbled teal.
Diet:
 Omnivorous: Eats plant seeds and aquatic invertebrates.
Adaptations:
 Marbled teal, along with other ducks, have webbed feet to help them swim in the
water.
4/25/2016
Marbled Teal
The Maryland Zoo
Marbled Teal
Marmaronetta angustirostris
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Like many ducks, marbled teal have an oil gland at the base of their tail that is used
when preening feathers to make them waterproof.
Marbled teal are dabbling ducks. They feed by sifting the water and mud for the food
from the surface of the water, and by tipping over and sticking their heads down in the
water to find food.
Social Structure:
 Forms small groups outside of the breeding season
o Occasionally form large flocks
Lifespan:
 Average lifespan of 15-25 years in captivity.
 Lifespan unknown in the wild.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Eggs preyed upon by humans and common nest predators such as snakes,
birds of prey and mammals.
 Interspecies Competitors: Other dabbling ducks and waterfowl.
 Niche: Marbled teal are omnivorous and help control the populations of both plants and
invertebrates. They eat the seeds of some aquatic plants and are important seed
dispersers.
Reproduction:
 Breeding Season: spring and summer.
 Behavior:
o Marbled teal are monogamous.
o Nesting: Marbled teal use vegetation to build an elaborate nest, complete with
walls and a roof and a small tunnel leading to the entrance.
 Nests are built on the ground at the water’s edge, usually hidden well in
vegetation.
 Clutch Size: 4-12 eggs
 Incubation Period: 25-27 days. Only the female incubates the eggs.
 Maturation: Nestlings fledge at about 2 months old.
Activity:
 Crepuscular- Active at dawn and dusk
 Gregarious during the non-breeding season, forming small flocks.
o Pairs become more solitary during the breeding season
Other “fun facts”:
 Marbled teal are particularly quiet ducks. The males occasionally make a small “jeep-
4/25/2016
Marbled Teal
The Maryland Zoo
Marbled Teal
Marmaronetta angustirostris
jeep” call during the breeding season, but they are otherwise silent.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable
 Threats:
o The largest threat to marbled teal is habitat loss and degradation.
 Much of their wetland habitat throughout their range has been lost due
to human development.
 Drainage of wetlands for agricultural use has been linked to the primary
cause for their decline.
 Other factors contributing to their decline include poaching, pollution
and lead poisoning.
 Conservation Efforts: There are many legal protections for this bird throughout North
Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Many wetland areas identified as critical
wintering habitat have been submitted for protection. There are several nature
organizations in the Middle East and Spain that are starting awareness campaigns to
educate the public on the threats to marbled teal.
At the Zoo
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Housed in the African Aviary during the summer months, off exhibit in the winter
months.
What We Can Do
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When hunting waterfowl, follow the law and use only non-toxic, lead-free shot.
o Hunting with lead-core bullets can cause lead-poisoning in animals that consume
lead-tainted meat. Scavengers may consume tainted meat when an animal is
shot with a lead-core bullet and then escapes or is not retrieved from the field.
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
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4/25/2016
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/marbled-teal/
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=467
http://www.arkive.org/marbled-duck/marmaronetta-angustirostris/#text=Range
http://birdbase.hokkaido-ies.go.jp/rdb/rdb_en/marmangu.pdf
http://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/birds/marbled-teal/
Marbled Teal
The Maryland Zoo
African spoonbill
Platalea alba
Description:
 Length: 31.5-35.5 in (80-90 cm)
 Wingspan: 4-4.5 ft (120-135 cm)
 Weight: 2.8-4.6 lbs (1.3-2.1 kg)
 Physical Description: The African spoonbill is a medium sized wading bird. It gets its
name from its flat, spoon shaped bill. It has a small rounded head, and an oval shaped
body. It has long, bare legs with long toes. Tail is relatively short and fan shaped.
 Coloration: African spoonbills are mostly white, with a pink face and legs. The bill is
mostly gray.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Most of sub-Saharan Africa, except for Angola, and most of the Congo.
o Absent from arid regions.
 Habitat: Large, shallow, inland waters such as lakes and rivers, marshes, flood plains,
and seasonal pools, reservoirs, artificial ponds.
Diet:
 Carnivorous: Eats small fish, shellfish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates such as crayfish
and water beetles.
Adaptations:
 African spoonbills are wading birds that have long legs with long toes, which help with
wading in water and mud to find their prey.
 The “spoon” shape of the bill makes it easier it to grab slippery prey in muddy water.
The wider tip has more grabbing area than a narrow beak, and is used to feel around for
4/25/2016
African Spoonbill
The Maryland Zoo
African spoonbill
Platalea alba
prey using touch rather than sight.
o Feed by sticking their wide bill into the water and sweeping it from side to side.
When prey is found, they quickly snap their bill to catch it, and then toss it
backwards into their mouth with a swift head jerk.
Social Structure:
 Gather in small groups of 3 to 30 birds
 May rest on shore in large groups with other bird species, such as ibises, herons and
flamingos
Lifespan:
 Up to 15 years in the wild, and 17 years in captivity.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Adults not commonly taken by predators.
o Chicks and eggs are sometimes preyed upon by nest predators such as crows,
vultures, snakes, or mammals.
 Interspecies Competitors: African spoonbills compete with other insectivorous wading
birds for prey.
 Niche: Help control the population of invertebrates and small fish as prey.
Reproduction:
 Breeding Season: Varies by geographic region.
 Behavior:
o Spoonbills are colonial nesters and will nest with other species, usually in groups
of 5-20 pairs but sometimes in groups of up to 250 pairs or more.
 Both males and females build flat, oval shaped nests of sticks and reeds
lined with leaves situated very close to the water.
 Nests can be built in partially submerged trees, bushes and reeds along
the edge of the water, or on rocky ledges.
 Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs.
 Incubation Period: 25-29 days. Both males and females incubate the eggs.
 Maturation: Juveniles leave the colony after 5 weeks
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 A young African spoonbill's bill does not resemble a spoon immediately. Chicks hatch
with a short beak that gradually develops into its spoon-like shape by the time it is 30
4/25/2016
African Spoonbill
The Maryland Zoo
African spoonbill
Platalea alba
days old.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
 Threats: Loss of wetland habitat due to drainage by humans is a threat to the African
spoonbill in parts of its range, especially in Madagascar.
 Conservation Efforts: African spoonbills have an extensive range and stable population
throughout Southern Africa. Their biggest threat, along with most other wading birds, is
loss of wetland habitat. Wetland conservation projects are needed to preserve the
habitat of these and other birds in Southern Africa.
At the Zoo
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African spoonbills are housed in the African Aviary during the summer months and off
exhibit in the winter.
What We Can Do
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Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
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http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/african-spoonbill/
http://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/birds_african_spoonbill.htm
http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/095.pdf
http://www.planetofbirds.com/ciconiiformes-threskiornithidae-africanspoonbill-platalea-alba
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3804
http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_spoonbill.html
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG 2005. Roberts - Birds of southern Africa, 8th
ed.
The Birds of Africa, v. 1, pp. 208-9.
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/threskiornithidae/platalea_alba.htm
Roseate spoonbill bill morphology:
http://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Ajaia_ajaja.pdf
http://mucholderthen.tumblr.com/post/48343150345/juliepasini-roseate-spoonbill-zoological
4/25/2016
African Spoonbill
The Maryland Zoo
Blue-bellied Roller
Coracias cyanogaster
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 11-12 in (28-30 cm)
o Wingspan: 14 in (35.5 cm)
 Weight: 3.8-5.3 oz (110-150 g)
 Physical Description:
o Blue-bellied rollers are small, pigeon-sized birds with relatively large heads.
o Beaks are thick and curve downward.
o Short legs and a stocky body with a forked tail.
o Males and females are similar in appearance
 Coloration: Blue-bellied rollers have heads and breasts that are creamy tan to white in
color. Their bellies are a very bold blue, and their wings are dark blue or green, with
dark brown scapulars (shoulder). The tails and underside of the wings are a bright sky
blue.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Geographic range: Western and central Africa, from Senegal to Southern Sudan
 Habitat: Savannah woodlands and forest edges
Diet:
 Mostly carnivorous, but does eat plants: Eats insects and other invertebrates, small
reptiles, and oil palm fruit.
Adaptations:
 Sit high in trees and dive-bomb prey on the ground, then return to the treetops with
4/25/2016
Blue-Bellied Roller
The Maryland Zoo
Blue-bellied Roller
Coracias cyanogaster
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their prey
o This helps them avoid predators while they are eating.
Commonly hunt by the edge of forest and brush fires, feeding on the mass of insects
fleeing the flames
Social Structure:
 Social birds; typically gather in small groups
 Social behaviors include calling to each other, chasing, flying together and defending
territory together.
Lifespan:
 There is little research on the lifespan of blue-bellied rollers. Other rollers have an
average lifespan of about 8 to 9 years.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators:
o Common nest predators such as carnivorous mammals, snakes, and hawks will
sometimes prey upon eggs and nestlings.
o Predation on adult birds is rare, since rollers are agile enough to avoid most birds
of prey.
 Interspecies competitors: other insectivorous birds
 Role/ Niche: Blue bellied rollers are secondary consumers. They prey upon various
insects and invertebrates and help keep their populations stable. Because of their
territorial behavior, they may benefit the trees they nest in by warding off other animals
that attempt to feed on the leaves.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: April to July.
 Behavior:
o Blue-bellied rollers tend to be monogamous but are sometimes polygamous.
o Courtship: Calling and flight displays play a key role in mating behavior.
 Rollers get their name from this flight display, where the females and
males chase each other, “rolling” through the sky.
o Nesting: Blue-bellied rollers are cavity nesters.
 Females do most of the incubating, but males will sit on the eggs as well.
 While nesting, blue-bellied rollers are fiercely territorial and protective,
and will attack anything that tries to come near the nest.
 Incubation: 22-24 days
 Clutch size: 2-3 eggs per clutch
 Maturation: Baby blue-bellied rollers fledge at about 4 weeks old.
4/25/2016
Blue-Bellied Roller
The Maryland Zoo
Blue-bellied Roller
Coracias cyanogaster
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 Blue-bellied rollers thrive in agricultural areas. They play a key role in pest control for
farmers in these areas by eating insects which may otherwise feed on crops.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
 Conservation efforts: Blue-bellied rollers are well-established across a wide range in
Africa and are in no current danger of extinction. Although their overall population may
be declining, they are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN, the world’s
leading conservation organization.
At the Zoo
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Housed in the African Aviary during the summer months and off exhibit in the winter.
They are trained by keepers to crate and perch.
What We Can Do


Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution.
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
 http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/Blue-bellied_Roller
 http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/blue-bellied-roller/
 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Coracias_cyanogaster/
 http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1040
 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22682908/0
4/25/2016
Blue-Bellied Roller
The Maryland Zoo
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina
Description:
 Length: 22 in (57 cm)
 Wingspan: 2.8-3 ft (85-90 cm)
 Weight: 2.2-2.6 lbs (1-1.1 kg)
 Physical Description: A medium sized diving duck with a relatively narrow bill, and a
large, square shaped head. Juveniles are a dark brown with multiple colored bellies.
 Sexual Dimorphism:
o Males: Males are slightly larger than females, with orange-brown heads, reddish
beaks and pale flanks.
o Females: Mostly brown with pale colored cheeks and bicolor bills.
(Photo: Richard Barrett-Small @Flickr)
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Large range scattered across North Africa, Europe, and Asia
 Habitat: Prefers eutrophicated ponds and lakes, slow current rivers and streams.
o “Eutrophicated” refers to excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body
of water, which causes algae blooms that kills most animal life by using up all of
the oxygen in the water.
Diet:
 Omnivorous: Eat aquatic vegetation supplemented by aquatic invertebrates,
amphibians, and small fish.
Adaptations:
 Webbed feet help them swim in the water.
 Their feathers are covered in oil applied during preening that helps repel water. This
4/25/2016
Red-crested Pochard
The Maryland Zoo
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina
serves to form a waterproof layer of feathers that keeps their down feathers dry.
Social Structure:
 Form large groups with hundreds of other individuals during winter migration.
Lifespan:
 In the wild, red-crested pochards live 4 to 7 years. Their lifespan in captivity is unknown.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators:
o Nest predators such as snakes, birds of prey and mammals are the primary
source of predation for red-crested pochards.
o Hunted by humans for food and sport
 Interspecies Competitors: Dabbling ducks and other aquatic herbivores.
 Role and Niche: Red-crested pochards help control plant populations in freshwater
lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.
Reproduction:
 Breeding Season: Late March to early July
 Behavior:
o Red-crested pochards are monogamous.
 Pairs form in the winter and bonding takes place during the spring
migration.
 Red-crested pochards breed in single pairs or small groups.
 They build their nests on the ground, usually in dense vegetation near
water.
 Breeding Season: Breed in the winter, lay eggs in the spring and summer.
 Clutch Size: 8-10 eggs
 Incubation Period: 26-28 days. Only females incubate the eggs, while males will bring
food to the female and chicks.
 Maturation:
o Nestlings fledge by 40 days old
o Independent from the nest after 50 days
o Reach sexual maturity in 1-2 years
Activity:
 Diurnal
 Migratory
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
4/25/2016
Red-crested Pochard
The Maryland Zoo
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufina
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Threats:
o Wetland loss and degradation; loss of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation or “SAV”
 SAVs are underwater grasses and a food source for many duck species.
 SAVs grow in areas shallow enough to allow for light to penetrate the
water for photosynthesis, but deep enough to stay submerged.
 Too much sediment in the water blocks sunlight and reduces the
area in wetlands where SAV can grow.
 Loss of SAV impacts the amount of available food for ducks and
habitat for other animals such as crabs and fish
Conservation Efforts: Due to the fact that red-crested pochards are widespread and
prolific, there are no specific conservation efforts for this species at this time. Future
conservation efforts will likely be directed towards preserving wetland habitat, which is
important to the survival of all ducks.
At the Zoo
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The red-crested pochards are on exhibit in the African Aviary during the summer and
off-exhibit in the winter.
What We Can Do
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When hunting waterfowl, follow the law and use only non-toxic shot.
o Hunting with lead-core bullets can cause lead-poisoning in animals that consume
lead-tainted meat. Scavengers may consume tainted meat when an animal is
shot with a lead-core bullet and then escapes or is not retrieved from the field.
Support initiatives to help reintroduce SAV’s and reduce sedimentation.
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
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4/25/2016
The Birds of Africa, v. 1, pp. 275-76.
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/red-crested-pochard/
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=469
http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/ducks-geese-pelikanes-andrelatives/netta-rufina
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Netta_rufina/
Red-crested Pochard
The Maryland Zoo
Waldrapp Ibis
Geronticus eremita
Description
 Size:
o Height: 27.6-31.5 in (70-80 cm)
 Weight:
o 2.3-2.87 lbs (1050-1300 g)
o Physical Description: The waldrapp ibis (also known as the northern bald ibis) is a
medium sized wading bird with an elongated body and relatively long neck. The
bill is long, slender and curves downward. Adults have a bald head and throat
with red skin and a distinct crest of long black and grey feathers projecting from
the head and neck. Plumage is black with a metallic green and purple sheen.
 Sexual Dimorphism:
o Males tend to be slightly larger than females and have slightly longer bills.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range
 Range:
o Historically, this species range extended across northern Africa and into the
Middle East.
 Today a population exists in Morocco, and possibly in Turkey and Syria.
 It is thought that the populations in Turkey and Syria have gone extinct
 Habitat: The habitat of the waldrapp ibis varies depending on the season.
o Breeding season: Prefers rocky areas and cliffs located near a water source such
as river banks or streams in remote, arid regions.
o Non-breeding season: Prefers habitats with sparse vegetation such as mountain
meadows or areas with rocky, semi-arid ground.
Diet
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Omnivorous: Waldrapp ibises are primarily carnivorous and feed on any available animal
life ranging from insects to small vertebrates. They will also consume a variety of plant
4/25/2016
Waldrapp Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Waldrapp Ibis
Geronticus eremita
material including berries, shoots and aquatic plants.
Adaptations
 A long, slender bill is well adapted for probing in water, mud or cracks in the soil in
search for food.
 Nostrils are located at the base of the bill which allows the bird to breathe with its bill
immersed in water.
 Long legs and toes allow the waldrapp ibis to move across rough terrain with ease.
 Bald patches on head and neck aid in thermoregulation
Social Structure
 Ibises are social birds and can often be found in the company of other species, such as
spoonbills, storks, herons and egrets.
 Aggressive behavior is not frequent in ibises, although waldrapp ibises will occasionally
become aggressive towards their rivals and peck at one another with open bills.
o Fights typically occur over nesting materials or nest sites.
 During the breeding season waldrapp ibises live in colonies of up to 40 pairs.
Lifespan/Life Cycle
 Wild: Unknown
 Captivity: 25-30 years
Ecosystem relationships
 Predators: The brown-necked raven and Egyptian vulture are common nest predators in
the Syrian population.
Reproduction
 Breeding season: Nest building begins in February and the first eggs are laid between
March and April
 Behavior:
o Monogamous during the breeding season, but do not form lifelong bonds.
 Displays between pairs include bowing, intertwining necks, presentation
of nest material and “mutual billing”, where the birds grab and shake
each other’s bill in unison.
 Males may perform ritualized manipulation of nest material as part of
their display.
o Males are the first to arrive to the nesting grounds, where they establish small
territories
 Males defend their territories from other males with threat displays
consisting of wing flapping, head stretching and pursuit flights.
o Nest in small colonies on rocky cliffs alongside rivers or coasts, or in piles of
4/25/2016
Waldrapp Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Waldrapp Ibis
Geronticus eremita
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boulders
o Nests are built by both sexes, and woven out of grasses, rushes, branches and
sticks
Incubation: 20-31 days
Clutch Size: 2-5 eggs per clutch
Maturation: Chicks are born semi-altricial; they may be naked or covered in fine down
and are defenseless for several weeks.
o Both parents take care of the chicks
Activity:
 Diurnal: Active during the day and roosts in trees at night
 Spends a great deal of time preening and cleaning their feathers
o Social preening can be observed between breeding partners and their offspring
“Fun Facts”:
 The waldrapp ibis is also commonly known as the northern bald ibis
 Ancient Egyptians once idolized the waldrapp ibis. They can be found in hieroglyphics
dating back 5000 years.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 IUCN listed as Critically Endangered
o The waldrapp ibis has been in decline for a long period of time and currently has
an extremely small population.
o 95% of wild waldrapp ibises are concentrated in one Moroccan subpopulation;
the Syrian population has dramatically declined over the past 30 years
 Protected under CITES Appendix I
 Threats: Habitat loss and degradation, disturbance of breeding sites and overhunting
are the main threats for the waldrapp ibis.
o Morocco: Illegal building, disturbance of breeding ground and farming on
feeding grounds
o Syria:
 Hunting is the largest threat to the Syrian population. When their
historical significance was discovered, European museums and collectors
rushed to obtain the rare, legendary bird. Entire colonies were wiped out
by local hunters.
 Overgrazing and collection of firewood also threaten the species by
reducing the amount of suitable feeding areas.
o Turkey: Historically, pesticide use poisoned the ibises and reduced their breeding
success.
 Conservation: Several actions and efforts have been made to conserve this species over
the past several years.
4/25/2016
Waldrapp Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Waldrapp Ibis
Geronticus eremita
o In 1999, the International Advisory Group for the Northern Bald Ibis was created
to coordinate efforts and provide scientific guidance.
o An international species action plan was created in 2006.
o In situ breeding programs, information centers, and captive breeding centers
have been established in several countries.
 Souss-Massa National Park in Morocco was designated specifically to
protect their nesting and feeding areas.
o Ecotourism and awareness-raising has been promoted throughout their range.
 The Palmyra Society for the Protection of Environment and Wildlife,
Syria’s first local conservation agency plans to develop ecotourism in the
area.
o The integrity of protected areas at the Syrian breeding colonies is potentially
threatened by oil concessions, infrastructure development and plans for
urbanization
At the Zoo
Here at the Zoo, the waldrapp ibis can be found on exhibit in the African Aviary.
What We Can Do


Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat - conserve
energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat. Learn more
about them, spread the word, and consider donating or getting involved.
References:
Hoyo, J. D., Elliott, A., & Sargatal, J. (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Ostrich to Ducks. (Vol.
1). Lynx Edicions.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22697488/0
http://www.iagnbi.org/en/species-profile
http://www.iagnbi.org/en/behaviour
http://www.iagnbi.org/en/breeding
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3791
http://northernbaldibis.blogspot.com/2013/04/sexual-dimorphism.html
4/25/2016
Waldrapp Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Hadada Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 2-2.5 ft (65-76cm)
o Wingspan: 3 ft (90-100cm)
 Weight: 2.75 lbs (1.25 kg)
 Physical Description:
o Large wading bird with a downward curved bill and broad wings.
o Grey-brown colored body with white stripe along the side of the head
o Wings have iridescent purple and green feathers
o Legs are black, with a grey bill that has a red stripe on the upper bill.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Geographic range - Widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, excluding the
southwestern arid plains and coastline of Angola and Namibia.
 Habitat:
o Open moist grasslands, marshes, and wetland edge habitat
o Makes frequent use of man-made irrigated farmland and wetland habitats
Diet:

Carnivorous: Diet consists of mostly insects, worms and other invertebrates.
Adaptations:
 The hadada ibis has a scimitar shaped bill which helps it probe soft mud for
invertebrates to eat. It is more sensitive to touch than that of other bird’s bills.
o When probing the mud or ground, the sense of touch is more useful than sight in
finding prey.
 As a wading bird, the hadada ibis has long legs and toes to help it wade through shallow
4/25/2016
Hadada Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Hadada Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash
water and mud to find prey.
Social Structure:
 Forms small groups of 2-30 individuals for feeding during the day and larger groups of
up to 100 individuals for roosting at night.
Lifespan:
 Up to 16 years in captivity
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators:
o Eggs and hatchlings: genets, monkeys, monitor lizards and other nest predators
o Adults: hawks and eagles
 Interspecies competitors: other wading birds and aquatic insectivores.
 Role/ niche: The hadada ibis is a predator of invertebrates. As a secondary consumer, it
helps keep insect populations stable. It also serves as a food source for other animals.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: year round, peaking towards the end of the rainy season, OctoberDecember.
 Behavior:
o Breeds in solitary pairs
o Hadada ibises are monogamous, and are solitary nesters
 They make basket shaped nests out of sticks and twigs in trees or
otherwise above ground level.
 They use the same nest sites year after year unless something such as
drought drives them from that habitat.
 Other hadada ibises will sometimes make use of abandoned nests.
 Incubation: 25-28 days, incubation done by both males and females
 Clutch size: 1-5 eggs, most commonly 2-3 eggs.
 Maturation: Chicks fledge at about 40 days old, becoming fully independent at 60 days
old.
Activity:
 Diurnal- active during the day
Other “fun facts”:
 The white stripe on their head is sometimes referred to as a moustache
 The hadada ibis gets its name from its vocalization: “Ha-ha-ha-da-da, Ha-ha-dee-daa”.
4/25/2016
Hadada Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Hadada Ibis
Bostrychia hagedash
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
 Conservation efforts:
o Hadada ibis populations are stable or growing through their range, and there are
currently no specific conservation efforts for them at this time.
o There have been concerns that wetland habitat loss, may lead to a decline in
hadada ibis populations, however, hadada ibises have adapted well to
agricultural land and have expanded into these areas, eating insects that feed on
crops.
At the Zoo

The hadada ibis is on exhibit in the African Aviary during the summer and off exhibit
during the winter.
What We Can Do


Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
 http://www.hbw.com/species/hadada-ibis-bostrychia-hagedash
 http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3786
 http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/094.pdf
 http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/threskiornithidae/bostrychia_hagedash.htm


Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG 2005. Roberts - Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed.
The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.
Bostrychia hagedash, Birds of Africa v. p. 195
Lifespan information:
 ftp://gis.msl.mt.gov/Maxell/Models/Predictive_Modeling_for_DSS_Lincoln_NE_121510
/Modeling_Literature/WSGB%20100%20Brouwer%20et%20al%20pop%20estim%20doc
um%20as%20printed.pdf

http://eol.org/pages/1049659/details
4/25/2016
Hadada Ibis
The Maryland Zoo
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
Tockus deckeni
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 17-20 in (43.2-50.8 cm)
o Wingspan: 15 in (38.1 cm)
 Weight: 0.2-0.5 lbs (120-212g)
 Physical Description:
o Medium sized bird with a large, thick, slightly down curved bill
o Wings are short, rounded, and broad
o Tail feathers are long and rectangular in shape.
o Head is mostly white with black patches on the cap and around the eyes; white
underside and black back
 Sexual dimorphism: Males have bright red and white bills, while female bills are black.
(Pictured: Female on left, male on right)
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Geographic range: Von der Decken's hornbill is found across eastern Africa from central
and eastern Tanzania, throughout Kenya, and into southeastern Ethiopia and Somalia.
 Habitat: Scrubby woodlands of the dry savanna.
Diet:
 Omnivorous: Eats snails, mice, nestling birds, lizards, tree frogs, seeds, fruit, berries, and
insects
Adaptations:
 Hornbills are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae (the atlas and
axis) are fused together. This is thought to provide a more stable platform for
supporting the heavy bill.
 The long bill allows them to forage and collect food items from branches they could not
4/25/2016
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
The Maryland Zoo
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
Tockus deckeni

reach otherwise.
Their short, broad, and rounded wings are efficient for short intervals of flight but not
ideal for extended periods.
Social Structure:
 Not much is known about their social structure in the wild.
o Mated pairs are territorial
Lifespan:
 Up to about 20 years in captivity
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Adults are sometimes taken by large birds of prey. Most predation occurs to
eggs and hatchlings by nest predators such as snakes, carnivorous mammals and birds of
prey.
 Interspecies relationships:
o Mutualism: The Von der Decken's hornbill and the dwarf mongoose of the East
African savannah have a unique relationship. Mongooses make it easier for the
hornbills to find food by disturbing the insects that they eat. In turn, hornbills
provide increased vigilance for predators, allowing these mammals more time to
feed.
 Role/ Niche:
o Von der Decken’s hornbills help keep insect populations stable by serving as
predators.
o They also help spread the seeds of fruit in their droppings.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: Late winter to early summer
 Behavior:
o Nest in tree cavities.
 The pair works together to partially close up the entrance with a mixture
of mud, droppings, and food items such as fruit pulp.
 Once the opening is so small that the female can barely fit through, she
enters the cavity.
 The male continues to seal in the opening, with the female assisting from
the inside until only a narrow opening remains.
 With the female sealed inside the nest cavity, the male is responsible for
feeding his mate.
 Once the chicks hatch, the male provides food to the female and the
chicks for about two months.
 Incubation: Exact incubation times are unknown, but females tend to occupy the nest
4/25/2016
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
The Maryland Zoo
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
Tockus deckeni


for about 8 weeks. In one study eggs hatched 33 days after the female was sealed into
the nest.
Clutch size: Usually 2 eggs, but can lay 3-4 per clutch
Maturation: When chicks are about 25 days old, the female breaks out of the nest. She
and the chicks reseal it behind her. At this point, the male and female both provide food
to the young until they emerge at about 50 days old.
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 The Von der Decken's hornbill was named after the German explorer Baron Karl von der
Decken, who described them in his writings about Africa.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern
 Conservation efforts: There are not any specific conservation efforts for Von der
Decken’s hornbills. They are not currently in any danger as a species. They have a
relatively large range and their numbers are mostly stable. As cavity nesters, their
biggest threat is loss of nesting habitat.
At the Zoo




The Zoo houses one female and one male Von der Decken’s hornbills, who arrived at the
Zoo in 2013.
The birds were named by children at the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. The female
is named Bubbles, and the male is named Melvin.
They are fed a mixture of meat, fruit, vegetables and bugs.
We are in the process of station training them, which allows us to call them to a specific
perch to visually inspect them and monitor their health.
What We Can Do


Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
 Birds of Africa, vol. 2 p. 391-392 “Tockus deckeni”
4/25/2016
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
The Maryland Zoo
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
Tockus deckeni







http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=936
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22682392/0
http://www.marylandzoo.org/2013/06/new-to-the-zoo-the-von-der-deckens-hornbill/
http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/vd_hornbill.htm
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/Von_der_Decken's_Hornbill
http://www.hbw.com/species/von-der-deckens-hornbill-tockus-deckeni
“Hornbills” Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2004. The Gale Group Inc.
4/25/2016
Von der Decken’s Hornbill
The Maryland Zoo
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 22 in (56cm)
o Wingspan: 3 ft (90-94cm)
 Weight: 14.5 -15 oz (415-430 g)
 Physical Description:
o Medium sized wading bird with relatively short legs and neck.
o The head crest is shaped like a hammer, giving the bird its name.
o The bill is long, relatively flat, and slightly hooked.
o The feet are partially webbed, with a comb-like middle toe that can be used for
grooming.
 Coloration: Hamerkops have a mostly drab brown body and head. The bill and legs are
dark brown or black.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Geographic range: Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar.
 Habitat:
o They live in diverse habitats, from forest to semi-desert; anywhere where water
is accessible.
 Hamerkops are most often seen in savannahs and woodlands, and may
be only seasonally resident in semi-arid areas.
o They frequent lakes, rivers, marshes, temporary seasonal ponds, and man-made
waterways such as dams and irrigation channels.
4/25/2016
Hamerkop
The Maryland Zoo
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Diet:

Carnivorous:
o Mostly eats small fish and amphibians
o Will also eat crustaceans, worms and insects
Adaptations:
 Legs are long and thin to help them wade through shallow water to find prey
 Bills are long and slightly hooked to help catch aquatic prey
 Large, rounded wings are adapted for soaring
Social Structure:
 Usually Solitary, sometimes found in pairs or small groups of less than 10 individuals.
o On occasion, they can form larger social groups of up to 50 individuals.
Lifespan:
 Average lifespan in the wild is approximately 20 years.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Nest predators such as snakes and monitor lizards are the largest source of
hamerkop predation.
o An estimated 50% of all eggs and 30-40% of chicks are lost to predation, but if an
individual survives to adulthood, it has few predators.
 Interspecies competitors: Other fish-eating birds, especially the fish eagle, which
commonly steals fish from hamerkops in flight.
 Role/ Niche: Shallow water predators; hamerkops help control the numbers of small fish
and amphibians.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: Year round, with peaks in August through September.
 Behavior:
o Hamerkops often gather near nesting sites for social courtship displays.
 The display begins with the birds all calling at once, while circling each
other and displaying their plumage.
 Males sometimes engage in false copulation with females during this
courtship display.
o Actual mating between pairs occurs during nest-building and after the nest is
complete.
 Incubation: 30 days, both males and females incubate the eggs.
 Clutch size: 3-7 eggs per clutch
 Maturation: Chicks fledge at about 50 days old, but are not completely independent for
another two months.
4/25/2016
Hamerkop
The Maryland Zoo
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Activity:
 Diurnal
Other “fun facts”:
 Hamerkops build massive domed nests up to 7 ft tall and 7ft wide. The nest consists of
several thousand twigs, and is used as habitat for many other animals as well.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
 The species is potentially threatened by deterioration in wetland water quality caused
by the excessive use of pesticides and trampling of floodplains from livestock.
 Conservation efforts: Since the hamerkop is prolific and has a stable population, there
are not any specific conservation efforts for them at this time.
At the Zoo

The hammerkops are on exhibit in the African Aviary during the summer and off exhibit
in winter. Look for their nest on top of the pagoda.
What We Can Do


Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
 http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/081.pdf
 http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/hamerkop/
 http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3768
 http://www.arkive.org/hamerkop/scopus-umbretta/
 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22697356/0
 The Birds of Africa, v. 1, pp. 169.
4/25/2016
Hamerkop
The Maryland Zoo
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 12-13 in (30-33 cm)
o Wingspan: 12-13 in (30-34 cm)
 Weight: 0.6 lb (270 g)
 Physical description:
o One of the smallest members of the dabbling duck tribe.
o Bill is short and more hooked than most other waterfowl.
 Coloration: Torso is chestnut red with white under parts. Wings are dark green to black
with some white secondary feathers. The front of the face is white.
 Sexual dimorphism:
o Males (as pictured below) have a bright green crown with a black-edged area of
green on the rear of the head and upper neck, as well as a bright yellow bill with
a black tip.
 Males are slightly larger than females
o Females display duller coloration on the head and their yellow bill is more
subdued.
(Male; photo: By Alejandro A. Tawil, via Wikimedia Commons)
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Geographic range: Found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa except for the
southeastern tip of the continent
 Preferred habitat: Favors calm wetlands such as slowly flowing rivers, swamps, marshes,
and lake inlets.
o This species is highly dependent upon water lilies
4/25/2016
African Pygmy Goose
The Maryland Zoo
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus
Diet:
 Omnivorous:
o Eats the seeds and leaves of water lilies, but will also consume other aquatic
plants, also known as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), as well as the
occasional insect
Adaptations:
 Webbed feet: Like most waterfowl, the webbed feet on this bird help it paddle through
the water
 Because it is so small, the African pygmy goose needs less food to survive, and can hide
from predators in small holes.
 Beak shape: The unusual bill shape is due to their food source; a flat bill like that of
many other ducks would be insufficient to cut leaf matter. Therefore, the African pygmy
goose has a stronger and sharper beak to cut up the plant and crush the seeds.
Social Structure:
 African pygmy geese typically nest in solitary pairs.
 Outside of the breeding season, this species may be found in small family groups or in
large concentrated groups of 10-200 individuals.
Lifespan:
 Wild: Unknown
 Captivity: 10-15 years
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Likely any medium to large aquatic or aerial predator, including crocodiles,
large fish, and birds of prey
 Interspecies competitors: Other waterfowl compete for food, territory, and nesting sites
 Role/ Niche:
o As a small herbivore, these ducks function as a food source for large species.
o Help to control the growth of water lilies while also dispersing seeds by passing
undigested seeds throughout their range.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: Highly variable throughout its range, but typically peaks in either
January through March or July through October
 Behavior:
o Polygynous; males may keep multiple mates when resources are plentiful
 In more scarce habitats, monogamy is more common
o Courtship displays are evident, but poorly understood.
o Create nests in any available cavities
4/25/2016
African Pygmy Goose
The Maryland Zoo
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus




Trees are most frequently used, but nests have been observed in cliff
faces, termite hills, house roofs, or muddy holes in the riverbank
Incubation: 23-24 days
Clutch size: Typically 6-12 eggs, though larger clutches have been observed, and are
thought to be the result of multiple females laying eggs in the same nest
Maturation: Females typically care for the young, although the male will stay in the area
to fend off intruders.
o Young fledge by 70 days
Activity:
 Crepuscular
o Mostly feeds in evening and early morning
Other “fun facts”:
 Pygmy geese? The African pygmy goose is actually a duck. It is classified under the
dabbling duck tribe, which is a group of waterfowl that primarily feeds on surface
matter. The goose-like bill is what gives this animal its common name.
o Ducks, geese, and swans are all members of the Anatidae family of waterfowl;
these groups are primarily distinguished by size and differences in bill structure.
Therefore, short, stout Anatids are ducks, while those with longer necks and
larger bodies are geese, and the largest are swans.
 The African pygmy goose is the smallest duck species in Africa.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern due to the species’ large range and
increasing population size
o The creation of dams throughout Africa increases available habitat for this
waterfowl
 Listed under Appendix III in Denmark, which limits trade by requiring permits
 Chief threats are overexploitation and habitat degradation
o The African pygmy goose is hunted for food throughout most of its range, but
the only place in which it has been hunted excessively is Madagascar, causing
local decline
o Several parts of the animal’s range have been affected by pollution from
herbicides and drainage. Other issues include the destruction of SAV’s via the
introduction of non-native cichlid fish and tourist water sports.
At the Zoo
The African pygmy geese can be found on exhibit in the African Aviary. They are a part of a Species
Survival Plan
4/25/2016
African Pygmy Goose
The Maryland Zoo
African Pygmy Goose
Nettapus auritus
What We Can Do



Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
There are plenty of ways that we can protect ducks native to the Chesapeake Bay area.
o When hunting waterfowl, follow the law and use only non-toxic shot.
o Support initiatives to help reintroduce SAV’s and reduce sedimentation.
o Build nest boxes near streams, ponds, lakes and other aquatic habitats.
Especially in wooded areas with a lack of cavity trees.
References:
 http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/anatidae/nettapus_auritus.htm
 https://books.google.com/books?id=gFawO8q9VfIC&pg=PA192&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f
=false
 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22680095/0
 http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/ducks-geese-pelikanes-andrelatives/nettapus-auritus
 http://alouattasen.weebly.com/uploads/8/9/5/6/8956452/rcp_anseriformes2012e66d0ed8.pdf
 Johnsgard, Paul A. "African Pygmy Goose." Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World.
Lincoln: U of Nebraska, 1978. 156-58. Print.
 http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=415
4/25/2016
African Pygmy Goose
The Maryland Zoo
Fulvous Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
Description:
 Length: 18-21 in (45-53 cm)
 Weight: 1.5 lbs (675-690 g)
 Physical Description: The fulvous whistling duck is a medium sized waterfowl with a
slightly longer neck than most ducks. It has a long bill, head and legs. Not sexually
dimorphic.
 Coloration: Mostly buff, brown, or tan on the body and head, with black bands on the
wings. Upper tail is dark, while the lower tail and underside is a lighter buff shade. Bill,
legs and feet are grey.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Found all over the world, mostly in the tropics.
 Habitat: Variety of lowland freshwater and brackish habitats, including still freshwater
lakes, rice paddy fields, or reservoirs with plentiful vegetation
Diet:
 Primarily herbivorous:
o Their diet consists of aquatic seeds and fruits of aquatic plants such as grasses
and rushes. They will also eat other parts of plants, but focus mostly on filtering
the water for seeds.
o Occasionally they will eat small aquatic insects.
Adaptations:
 Ducks and other waterfowl have webbed feet to help them swim through the water.
 Fulvous whistling ducks are dabbling ducks. This means that they get most of their food
by skimming it from the surface, or tipping over and dipping their heads down into the
water to find food.
 Ducks have a special oil gland at the base of their tail that they use when preening
4/25/2016
Fulvous Whistling Duck
The Maryland Zoo
Fulvous Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor
feathers to help make them waterproof.
Lifespan:
 Unknown
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Fulvous whistling ducks are preyed upon by carnivorous mammals and birds
of prey.
 Role/Niche: As herbivores fulvous whistling ducks help control the populations of
aquatic grasses. Their feeding habits also assist in seed dispersal of aquatic plants.
Reproduction:
 Behavior:
o Unlike most other ducks which have complicated courtship displays, fulvous
whistling ducks do not appear to have any courtship rituals at all.
o The Fulvous whistling duck is a frequent nest parasite, laying eggs in other
fulvous whistling duck nests, as well as the nests of other duck species. These
other duck species often lay their eggs in fulvous whistling duck nests as well.
o Fulvous whistling ducks are monogamous, and males and females care for the
young. These breeding behaviors are more similar to swans and geese than to
other ducks.
o Nests are usually made in shallow water on a platform of vegetation, but will
occasionally use tree cavities for nesting, especially in India.



Clutch Size: 8-12 eggs
Incubation Period: 24-26 days
Maturation: Nestlings fledge at about 2 months old.
Activity:
 Crepuscular: Most active at dawn and dusk
 In flight, it flaps its wings slower than most ducks, and lets its feet hang down instead of
tucking them into the body.
Other “fun facts”:
 Fulvous whistling ducks are more closely related to geese and swans than to true ducks
due to their long legs and neck, their lack of sexual dimorphism and their tendency to
mate for life.
 Fulvous whistling ducks get their name from their call, which is a very loud, high pitched
whistle.
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern
4/25/2016
Fulvous Whistling Duck
The Maryland Zoo
Fulvous Whistling Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor

Threats: Fulvous whistling ducks are vulnerable to exposure to pesticides used on rice
and other agricultural plants, and collision with power lines. Local populations also may
suffer in response to wetlands habitat degradation, but overall the species population
remains large and stable.
o Wetland loss and degradation- loss of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation or “SAV”
 SAVs are underwater grasses and a food source for many duck species.
 SAVs grow in areas shallow enough to allow for light to penetrate the
water for photosynthesis, but deep enough to stay submerged.
 Too much sediment in the water blocks sunlight and reduces the
area in wetlands where SAV can grow.
 Loss of SAV impacts the amount of available food for ducks and
habitat for other animals such as crabs and fish
At the Zoo
 The fulvous whistling ducks are on exhibit in the African Aviary during the summer and
off-exhibit in the winter.
What We Can Do



When hunting waterfowl, follow the law and use only non-toxic, lead-free shot.
o Hunting with lead-core bullets can cause lead-poisoning in animals that consume
lead-tainted meat. Scavengers may consume tainted meat when an animal is
shot with a lead-core bullet and then escapes or is not retrieved from the field.
Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:


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http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/fulvous_whistling-duck
http://beautyofbirds.com/fulvouswhistlingduck.html
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/fulvous-whistlingduck/
http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/fulvous-whistling-duck#ad-image-0
http://www.all aboutbirds.org/guide/fulvous_whistling-duck/lifehistory
http://beautyofbirds.com/fulvouswhistlingduck.html
Johnsgard, Paul A. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World, pp. 10-12.
“Feeding by touch”, The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds, p.118-119. Princeton
University Press, 2009.
Fulvous Whistling Duck
The Maryland Zoo
Blue Duiker
Philantomba monticola
Description:
 Size:
o Length: 1.8-3 ft (55-90cm)
o Height: 1-1.5 ft (30-40cm) at the shoulder
 Weight: 8-20 lb (3.5-9 kg)
 Physical Description: A very small antelope; the blue duiker is one of the smallest duiker
species. It has brown to grey coloration, with a blue sheen along the back.
 Sexual dimorphism:
o Females are generally larger.
o Males have a pair of small horns about 5 cm in length. Females sometimes have
horns, but they are usually smaller and are often hidden by the crested shape of
the head.
In the Wild
Habitat and Range:
 Range: Central and Southern Africa.
 Habitat: The blue duiker prefers various types of forested habitats. It is adaptable and
can survive even if the forested habitat is disturbed, as long as there is sufficient cover.
Diet:
 Blue duikers are omnivorous, but most of their diet includes fruits, nuts and seeds. They
will also eat leaves, flowers, fungi, insects and eggs.
Adaptations:
 Keen visual and auditory senses allow them to detect predators
 Duikers are excellent jumpers due to their powerful hind limbs. They use this ability to
jump into dense vegetation when threatened.
Social Structure:
 Communication:
o Duikers communicate alarm by snorting, stamping, whistling or flicking their tail.
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Blue Duiker
The Maryland Zoo
Blue Duiker
Philantomba monticola
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Territorial displays between duikers include ramming one another repeatedly with their
horns.
o These fights typically end without injury, although occasionally an individual will
suffer stab wounds.
Lifespan:
 8-12 years in the wild, 10-16 years in captivity.
Ecosystem relationships:
 Predators: Hyenas, wild dogs, crocodiles, leopards, pythons and humans prey upon blue
duiker.
 Interspecies competitors: Other African fruit eaters such as primates and birds.
 Interspecies relationships: Share a commensal relationship with forest primates, which
knock down fruit from the trees which they will feed on
 Role / Niche:
o Blue duikers feed primarily on fallen fruit and seeds, but do not aid in seed
dispersal since they fully chew their food.
o They are an important source of food for many predators.
Reproduction:
 Breeding season: Year round.
 Behavior:
o Monogamous, usually mate for life.
o After the calf is born, the male leaves the territory, possibly to help protect the
young. He stays nearby and typically returns after about a month.
 Gestation: 7.5 months
 Number of offspring: usually one, twins on rare occasions.
 Maturation: Young weaned at 5 months.
o Blue duiker calves are precocial- which means that they are born well developed.
They are able to get up and run within 20 minutes of birth.
o Calves are weaned after2.5 to 3 months
o Reproductive maturity at roughly one year, with females maturing slightly faster
than the males.
Activity:
 Crepuscular: most active at dawn and dusk.
 Occasionally nocturnal
Other “fun facts”:
 Duikers get their name from the Afrikaans word for 'divers', since when threatened,
they dive into dense vegetation.
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Blue Duiker
The Maryland Zoo
Blue Duiker
Philantomba monticola
Conservation Status and Threats:
 Listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
 Conservation efforts: Since the blue duiker is a common animal, with estimated
populations at 7 million individuals, there are currently no specific conservation efforts
for blue duikers. There are several protected areas within their range that help them
sustain the population against subsistence hunting pressure.
At the Zoo
The Zoo houses one blue duiker, a male named “Lucky”. He was born in January 2013
and can be seen on exhibit in the African Aviary.
What We Can Do
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Make environmentally responsible lifestyle decisions to help conserve habitat –
conserve energy and resources, reduce litter and pollution
Support the conservation efforts of local organizations like The Maryland Zoo as well as
organizations working in the field to protect wildlife and conserve habitat
References:
 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Philantomba_monticola/
 http://www.arkive.org/blue-duiker/philantomba-monticola/
 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/4143/0
 http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/duiker
 http://www.ultimateungulate.com/artiodactyla/philantomba_monticola.html
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Blue Duiker
The Maryland Zoo