Neornithes News: Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2017

Neornithes News A Newsletter from the Department of Ornithology, WCS. Bronx Zoo Volume 4, Issue 2: April, 2017 GOLDEN JUBILEE FOR ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE Curator’s Notes PLANS FOR CA PUS EXPANSION AP PROVED Submitted by, David A. Oehler Curator of Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo The Asa W ight Natu e Ce t e AWNC , as esta lished i , a e e gei g oup of atu alist to p ote t the A i a Valle , T i idad, a d this ea is ele ai g its Golde Ju ilee. AWNC is o e of the i st atu e e te s eated i the Ca i ea a d o oasts thousa ds of isito s that o e to e jo the pi tu es ue sei g a d i di g hotspots. Toda o e , isito s f o T i idad & To ago, No th A e i a a d Euope isit AWNC ea h ea . Green light for building commencement date Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duisi. Willia Bee e at “i la Willia Bee e T opi al ‘esea h “taio © Wildlife Co se aio “o iet . ‘ep odu ed © pe Wildlife Co se aio so iet , issio of the WC“ A hi es “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, AWNC s ai fa iliies a e loated o hat as the “p i g Hill Estate, a o oa, ofee, a d it us pla taio , o ed Ne o a d Asa W ight. The Estate as fa ous fo hosi g a isito s that a e to see the a ifau a a d sta fo the o de ful food a d ate oo tea. O ithologists ould gathe to e jo the hospitalit a d elai el u o pli ated ie i g of Oil i ds, “teato is a ipe sis, u e ous hu i gi ds a d othe Neot opi al a ifau a. “o h a e a i e sa th e e io i g the of the AWNC? As Co i ued o page , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s GOLDEN JUBILEE FOR ASA WRIGHT NATURE CENTRE (Continued from cover) The Willia Bee e ‘esea h “taio , lo ated at “i la i the A i a Valle , T i idad e look a k o the histo of the AWNC e a see it is ade up of t o p ope ies, the “p i g Hill Estate a d the Willia Bee e T opi al ‘esea h “taio , aka “i la. Cha les Willia Bee e a e to o k fo the Ne Yo k )oologi al Pa k B o )oo i as the Assista t Cu ato of Bi ds a d ould o e i to the posiio of full Cu ato i . I , Bee e pu hased the i st of se e al estates a d e a ed it “i la, a efe e e to ‘ud a d Kipli g s sto ies i the Plai Tales f o the Hills, ased o Kipli g s isits to “hi la the k o as “i la , the site of the su e apital of B iish I dia. Bee e o ked di e tl ith Asa a d Ne o W ight, pa i ula l du i g the pe iod he he as p o ided a o odaio s hile the ate a d ele t i al supplies e e ei g o e ted to “i la. I , Bee e ould do ate the p ope ies that he had pu hased to the Ne Yo k )oologi al “o iet fo the su of o e dolla , although he etai ed the posiio of Be efa to s i Pe petuit . I Fe ua , “i la as oiiall do ated to the AWNC a d is ai tai ed as a ield staio fo t opi al esea h. Visito s to AWNC ha e a oppo tu it to ie o e spe ies of i ds, i ludi g © hu Bute l Hotel at “i la, T i idad, © Wildlife Co se aio “o iet . ‘ep odu ed WC“ A hi es issio of the RESEARCH AT SIMLA i g i d ta a. ‘esea h also o i ues, as o ito i g efo ts ha e e o ded ia a e a t aps a d ha e ide iied spe ies of a als, i ludi g the elusi e O elot. Bat su e s a e also o du ted, atalogi g spe ies of ats a d e a e e pa di g these efo ts ith e l a ui ed at a ousi e o di g e uip e t. It is ith g eat p ide that I ep ese t the WC“, B o )oo, as a oa d e e of AWNC. To alk the g ou ds of “i la a d ie the po t ait of Willia Bee e is a hu li g e peie e. This ea , due to a ajo git, e o aio efo ts to the “i la p ope t ill egi . I te est f o se e al u i e siies to uilize AWNC fo thei t opi al e olog studies ill o i ue the s ie ii t adiio that Bee e i iiated de ades ago. To k o that e o i ue that t adiio of Neot opi al esea h, i the A i a Valle of T i idad, is a g eat ho o . The World’s first Neotropical Ecologist Resea h at “i la eall ega to o e fo a d i , as Bee e ega to i esigate a d do u e t the atu al histo of the a ifau a of T i idad, a d also i lude studies of the lo a, a als, a d i e te ates. Bee e ould e alled the i st Neot opi al E ologist Da id Godda d, autho of “a i g Wildlife: A Ce tu of Co se aio . The Ne Yo k )oologi al “o iet ould o i ue suppo i g the T opi al Resea h “taio fo t e t o e ea s a d a tuall i ease the la d holdi gs to a es. I o espo de e ith D . Willia Co a , he des i es “i la as the s allest of th ee p ope ies that o sisted of the la , ute l house a d do ito ies. “i la g e ith the addiio of the “t. Pat’s p ope t , lo ated a oss the oad he e Da id “ o o du ted i po ta t a aki esea h a d as the la gest of the p ope ies a ui ed Bee e. The p ope t alled Ve da t Vail as also a ui ed a d added to the “i la o ple . Mo e tha s ie ii pape s e e ge e ated f o these studies a d that o k o i ues toda . Happ th A i e sa to the Asa W ight Natu e Ce t e f o e a d the e i e WC“ staf. Wildlife Co se aio so iet , s. pe Bee e at his t pe ite at “i la. © Wildlife Co se aio “o iet . ‘ep odu ed pe issio of the WC“ A hi es “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Saving Uganda’s National Bird ith the i pa t of li ate ha ge ithout the eed to pla t thei ops i etla ds. Submitted by, Miguel Leal To easu e the efe t of this o se aio Albertine Rift REDD Program Manager, a io , WC“ eeded i st to k o the u WCS & Hamlet Mugabe, Ornithologist Officer, WCS e s of a es i the p oje t a ea a d the The G e C o ed C a e, Balea i a egulostatus of the etla ds. This as e e do e u , featu es o the aio al e le , a d lag i the p oje t a ea as the t o aio al su of Uga da. The aio al foot all tea is alled e s p e iousl did ot o e the a ea. With the Uga da C a es. O l % of the i te ie ed fu di g f o the Da i I iiai e UKAID , u al poo k e the a e as the aio al i d Ha let Muga e, the i -house o ithologist of Uga da. I agi e a si ila out o e i Ne a ied out a aseli e su e i Ap il a d Yo k “tate fo the A e i a Bald Eagle. P et Ma a d su e ed etla d sites i pathei ! I a su e ou d thi k. U fo tu atel , pa ishes a oss the Hoi a dist i t. this is the ealit fo the G e C o ed C a e i The esults a e hopeful. C a es e e o Hoi a i este Uga da, he e e held this se ed i es i out of the sites su e . % a di out of the pa ishes The u al poo a e so o pletel fo used o % . The status of the etla ds a ied f o u distu ed % , pa iall distu ed % a d se e el distu ed % . I othe o ds, a es a e ide sp ead o e the p oje t a ea ut thei populaio is lo . This su e sho s that o se i g etla d is i po ta t fo a e o se aio a d t ai i g s allholde fa e s hopefull ill elie e so e of the p essu e o etla d, ut a o e fa e s i the p oG e C o ed C a e, the aio al e le of Uga da je t a ea a e ot et pa i ipai g. It is dii ult to i spi e people a out ildlife he thei fo us is o aki g it to the e t g o i g seaso . da to da su i al that ildlife does ot e te The efo e, WC“ follo s a li elihood i thei i ds; let alo e e i spi ed it. The last p o e e t app oa h he e people ill e seaso as pa i ula l ha d o the as li ate eit f o o se aio th ough i eased ha ge dest o ed thei ha ests a d households i o e a d li ate p o ed e te p ises. The a e looki g fo opi g e ha is s. O e of the fa e s ho pa i ipate sig a pledge to opi g e ha is s is to o e t pap us eto se e thei atu al fo est a d la ds to ag i ultu al ields. Although this a ot to e oa h i etla ds. I edu e thei isk of ha est failu e aused etu , WC“ t ai s the i o se d ought it u fo tu atel also dest o s the G e aio fa i g a d put the i C o ed C a e ha itat a d auses o e g ee o ta t ith p oita le u e s fo house gasses sto ed i the etla d to e thei p odu e. Fa e s ha e see e ited. thei i o e i ease -fold. To stop this t e d, WC“ is t ai i g s allholde “o, a e e t i e he the see fa e s ho joi ed the Mu hiso -“e liki ‘ea G e C o ed C a e i thei du ed E issio f o Defo estaio a d fo est eigh o i g etla d the ill apDeg adaio ‘EDD+ p oje t i o se aio p e iate its p ese e. fa i g. Co se i g fa i g is a li ate s a t ag i ultu al p a i e hi h helps fa e s to ope © Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, The Mu hiso -“e liki REDD+ p oje t, lo ated i este Uga da lo ated i the a ea i ed is t i g to sa e Chi pa zees a d thei fo ests as ell as G e C o ed C a es a d thei etla ds. Fo est a d etla d ha itat a e la ge a o si ks a d he o e ted a ig sou e of G ee House Gasses GHGs e issio s a d the ep ese t i po ta t e os ste st u tu es to sta ilize the egio al i pa t of li ate ha ge. A G e C o ed C a e fo ages i u distu ed etla ds. , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s AVIAN INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE IN MONGOLIA Learning more about the Ba khas aata ©WC“ prevalence and ecology of avian influenza Submitted by, Barkhasbaatar Ariunbaatar, WCS The highl pathoge i a ia i lue za i us HPAIV su t pe H N has aused the deaths of o e tha , ild i ds at Qi ghai lake i a d this pa de i i fe ted ild i ds a d poult i at least ou t ies i Asia, Eu ope, a d Af i a. WC“ Mo golia p og a espo ded to the ild i d o talit i Qi ghai lake a d sta ted su eilla e i Mo golia a o g ild i ds a d dete ted the i st H N posii e Whoope “ a , C g us g us, at E khel lake i the e t al pa t of Mo golia. Mo golia is a g eat ou t that p o ides a oppo tu it to stud the ild i d i us i a se e of do esi id a d a u da e of ig ato ate i ds, hi h eates a ideal lo aio to stud the epide iolog of highl pathoge i a ia i lue za i us HPAIV i a pu el ild i d s ste . aptu ed i ds, aki g a d taggi g i ds a d f o f esh fe al sa ples. We ha e ide iied hotspot a eas he e i fe ted i ds a e likel to ig ate. Most i fe ted i ds o e f o Ce t al Asia l a . Whe the e a e epide i s i the egio e a e e likel to dete t i Mo golia a d he the epide i is ot p ese t e do ot see out eaks i Mo golia as ell. “i e e ha e ee a i el su e i g lakes a d etla ds of Mo golia fo HPAI olle i g sa ples f o li e © Wildlife Co se aio so iet , Ba khas aata ©WC“ A o e, Ma i Gil e t i the oat a d Dula Pu e su e aptu e s a s o E khel Lake, Weste Mo golia. Lo e i age: A Ba -headed goose ei g p epa ed fo elease ate tesi g. WCS STAFF IN ACTION Collecting samples in the field to better understand disease transmission The latest su eilla e as o du ted at lo aio s. A total of sa ples e e olle ted du i g this stud i ludi g , e i o e tal fe al sa ples i ludi g sheldu ks, geese, s a s, a d du ks , f o li e i ds sa ples f o a li e Ci e eous Vultu e, Aeg pius o a hus , f o dead i ds sa ples. Whoope “ a s o E khel Lake, Mo golia “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, Ba khas aata ©WC“ , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Book Review QUEST PROGRAMMAY INCREASE VISITOR STAY TIME IN THE WORLD OF BIRDS I Flight!, staf highlighted a u e of ai essages, i ludi g i d at hi g, o se aio skills a d the i po ta e of o se i g a i als, i d esea h ethods, ool s ie e, lo al i ds, i d o se aio , a d ho WC“ esea he s stud i ds. Guests p ia il epo ted lea i g a out dife e t t pes of i ds a d i d ide ii aio , light pate s a d i d alls. “u ited , “a ah Du ifo , ‘esea h & E aluaio Asso iate, B ia Joh so , Die to of Edu aio ‘esea h & E aluaio a d Jaso Aloisio, P oje t T‘UE P og a Coo di ato , WC“ WC“ Edu aio s ‘esea h a d E aluaio tea i ple e ted a di e t o se aio stud i su e to easu e isito e gage e t ith zoo e hi its i Quest staf i te a t ith isito s at the Wo ld of Bi ds E hi it Wo ld of Bi ds. The stud o pa ed the p e ale e of e gage e t eha io s as ell as sta i e of isito s pa i ipai g i se i-fa ilitated edu aio al e pe ie es Quests a d egula isito s. T ohu d ed a d eight o se aio s e e olle ted as a pa t of the Quests p og a e aluaio . Of these o se aio s, e e o du ted o Quest pa i ipa ts efe ed to as Quest g oup a d e e o du ted o egula isito s efe ed to as o -Quest g oup . “ta i e a d e gage e t eha io al data e e a al zed i ‘. © O a e age, Quests pa i ipa ts sta ed dou le the a ou t of i e i oth the ee-eate e hi it spa e a d the se o d-loo f ee-light spa e. I the ee-eate e hi it a ea, a e age sta i e fo the Quest g oup as se o ds e sus se o ds fo the o -Quest g oup p< . . I the se o dloo e hi it a ea, a e age sta i e fo the Quest g oup as se o ds e sus se o ds fo the o -Quest g oup p= . . Le els of e gage e t eha io s e e si ila et ee g oups, though so e dife e es e e o se ed. Fo e a ple, su je ts elo gi g to the Quest g oup e e o e likel to ask a uesio o a i al s o e hi it p= . , hile su je ts elo gi g to the o -Quest g oup e e o e likel to poi t at a i al s o e hi it p= . a d take photo p= . . The i di gs suggest a elaio ship et ee pa i ipaio i Quests a d e hi it e gage e t a d sta i e. Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, “u ited , Ch isi e “heppa d, Bi d Collisio Ca paig Ma age , ABC ei ed Cu ato of O itholog , WC“, B o )oo The e jo a le ook Good Bi de s Do 't Wea White: Tips f o No th A e i a's Top Bi de s a e out i . It as a o pe diu of essa s, ote a usi g, people ho, i o e a o a othe , ha e li es that e ol e a ou d i di g o od f o a zoo, though . Te ea s o , a o pa io olu e, Good Bi ds “ill Do ’t Wea White: Passio ate Bi de s “ha e the Jo s of Wat hi g Bi ds, is e uall e gagi g. “ill o i d keepe autho s, ut the e is a essa o ho i d photog aph a ha ge ou ie of the o ld Ma ie ‘ead, ho took the photo of a ala ed looki g ish i the talo s o a Osp e , o displa i the Is Natu e C uel? galle aka Death Galle II i Wo ld of Bi ds. I a passio ate a out i ds, ut ha e al a s felt I as t a eal i de – I hate ta o o , do t keep lists a d do t lo e gei g up efo e da . This ook ele ates a k a d i di g, i di g ith spe t og a s, i di g ith kids, i di g as a tea hi g tool, d a i g i ds, a d leadi g i d tou s. We hea a out a e deta agai st a ale House “pa o that as taki g o e o upied Blue i d o es, easo s to e ki d to o i e i de s a d f o so e ho, like e, o l dis o e ed i ds de ades i to thei li es. Ea h essa is o l a fe pages lo g, a d ea h e ds ith ips da f o the autho s e pe ie es, a ith a usi g sket hes – fa o ite featu es a Wood o k. A g eat ook to dip i to, o e tha a page tu e . Keep it ou ed a d go to sleep e e ight thi ki g of the dife e t a s i ds it i to ou life. , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s RED THROATED & READY TO GO Sometimes conservation begins in your own backyard Submitted by, Ken Huth, Supervisor of Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo The Wildlife Co se aio “o iet WC“ is a o ld ide leade i o se aio . That i ludes o se aio he e at ho e. This past su e I as fo tu ate e ough to olu tee ith the Adi o da k Coope ai e Loo P og a hi h is suppo ted WC“ a d The Biodie sit ‘esea h I situte B‘I as ell as a fe othe o se aio g oups. The Loo p og a studies these i o i i ds of the o the lakes a d po ds. He e at the Wildlife Co se aio “o iet s B o )oo, I ea hed out to the B‘I to let the k o that e ould e i te ested i a o - eleasa le loo – ea i g a loo that as too adl i ju ed to go a k i to the ild a d ould likel e eutha ized – fo displa i ou e hi it. O e e e i g I got a all f o o e of the ildlife ete i a ia s asso iated ith B‘I to let e k o that she had a ‘ed-th oated Loo , Gaia stellata, ith a d oopi g i g that appea ed to e oke e de i g it o eleasa le. It as ei g held i the “a a a Lake ‘egio of the Adi o da ks. This is a out i e hou s a a f o the B o so e et half a fo the ha d-of. O e a k at the )oo e had ou ete i a staf e a i e the i d a d it as dete i ed that the d oopi g i g as ot oke a d that she ould e etu ed to the ild. With the lessi g of the ildlife ete i a ia , the ‘ed-th oated Loo as eleased at O ha d Bea h ea Cit Isla d, NY he e it s a of i to the su f. Though e a e sill aii g fo a loo that ill allo ou guests to e pe ie e the g a e a d eaut of these i ds I ould t thi k of a ete e di g. Fossil spe i e of Eo o fuiuso is A ist e de i g of Eo o fu iuso is AVIAN ANCESTORS Submitted by, David A. Oehler Curator of Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo “ ie ists i Chi a ha e des i ed a e t ao di a fossilized i d f o the Ea l C eta eous Jehol Biota, dai g a k to illio ea s. The spe i e has ee desig ated as Eo o fu iuso is a d is the oldest a d ost p i ii e e e of the Co fu iuso ithifo es, a g oup of ea l i ds that i st de eloped a a ia eak. Maki g this i d so spe ial a e the p ese ed sot issues i ol i g the o a a d i gs. The a ied sizes of the fossilized folli les, o the o a of this spe i e , i di ates that this spe i e had apidl de elopi g eggs, si ila to ode i ds that la a lut h of eggs at spe ii i te als. Eo o fu iuso is has a p ese ed postpatogiu , the lesh ae od a i su fa e of the i g. Maki g up this su fa e a e laps of ski , o patagia, that a e ell p ese ed a d a e fou d i ode i ds a d assist i thei apa ilit to l . Mo e i p essi e is the i di g of a et o k of a ollage ous et o k that p o ides a st u tu e shapi g the ski laps, gi i g the i g a g eate ae od a i shape. Alo g ith the sot issue, the plu age of this spe i e as also p ese ed ell e ough to dete i e the ios opi st u tu e a d suggest that the Eo o fu iuso is a ha e do ed g a feathe s ith la k spoted i gs a d a ed th oat pat h. Please see for the full report: Xiaoting Zheng, Jingmai K. O'Connor, Xiaoli Wang, Yanhong Pan, Yan Wang, Min Wang, Zhonghe Zhou; Exceptional preservation of soft tissue in a new specimen of Eoconfuciusornis and its biological implications. Natl Sci Rev 2017 nwx004. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwx004 The ju e ile ‘ed-th oated Loo © as su essfull eleased a k i to the ild. Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Notable Hatchings Addiional Hatchings Ba d-tailed Pigeo s Submitted by, David A. Oehler Tawny Frogmouth Ja ua a d Fe ua Curator of Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo Red Bi d-of-Pa adise African Spoonbill Ma i ds that li e i a a uai e i o e t appea to e elated ased o o phologi al adaptaio s, su h as lo g legs a d eaks that fu io i a si ila a e to take food f o the ate . The ale Af i a “poo ill, Platalea al a, that hat hed o Ma h , is o e su h i d a d these spoo ills e e o e thought to e losel elated to sto ks, la i gos, a d i is ased o si ila ph si al a d eha io al at i utes. Mole ula e ide e DNA-DNA h idizaio ph loge has o p ope l sepa ated these g oups of i ds a d o asso iate the spoo ills ith the i is a d he o s, a d dista e the f o the sto ks a d la i gos. Ja ua G ee - i ged Ma a s Ma h ; Hat hed at the Quee s )oo a d t a sfe ed to B o )oo Lo g-tailed Fi hes Ma h “upe “ta li gs Ma h Pheasa t Pigeo Vi to ia C o Ap il ed Pigeo Ap il At house, e tu do the the ostat i the i te to sa e e e g . The Ta F og outh, Poda gus sigoides, has de eloped a othe a to sa e e e g e te i g a shallo to po de eased ph siologi al a i it , usuall a edu ed od te pe atu e a d eta oli ate he a ie t te pe atu es d op a d the i se ts the feed o a ot e a u da t. A i it le els a d fe e outs of to po o u du i g the su e , hi h is the ai seaso . We use ate iste s to i ease ou i d's a i it le els a d appeites, hi h o has esulted i the hat h of a Ta F og outh hi k o Ap il at the Wo ld of Bi ds E hi it. Guira Cuckoo “o ei es it does take a illage to p ope l aise a fa il , ut h do e see this i st ategies used the Gui a Cu koos, Gui a gui a? Whe isito s a e th ough the Wo ld of Bi ds E hi it i Ma h, the a ha e oted a g oup of i e adult Gui a Cu koos a i el fo agi g fo food a d taki g those i se ts a k to the t o ju e iles that hat hed o Ma h . The eha io s o se ed a e a tuall o e o ple tha just a o u al eedi g st ateg to a i ize esou es. The o ple eha io s ega ea lie , as se e al eggs a d hi ks e e tossed f o the est, i a ate pt to edu e the ep odu i e su ess of spe ii i ds ithi the g oup. I the e d, the g oup efo t allo ed the i ds to a i ize the esou es at ha d a d uilizi g a fu da e tal so ial fou daio that a ha e a posii e i pa t o thei lo g-te ep odu i e su ess. The ju e ile Af i a “poo ill hat hed Ma h at the A uai Bi d House Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ O e of t o Gui a Cu koos hat hed i Ma h pe hes a adult. Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ Raggiana Bird of Paradise I the ild, the fe ale ‘aggia a Bi dof-Pa adise, Pa adisa a aggia a, ust uild he o est, i u ate he eggs alo e a d ea the ofsp i g ithout assista e f o the ale. The fe ale ‘aggia a ill fo age e lusi el fo i e te ates to feed he e l hat hed ofsp i g fo the i st i e da s. E e hou she feeds he hi k a d the a ou ts i ease su sta iall he the hi k ea hes fou da s of age. Ou ‘aggia a Bi d of Pa adise hat hed i the Asia ‘ai fo est ha itat of the Wo ld of Bi ds o Ma h . To assist the fe ale i he efo ts to ea he hi k, the O itholog “taf p o ided addiio al i se ts a d sepa ated oli g eal o , ha d, hi h appea ed to e a fa o ite food ite . © The fe ale ‘aggia a Bi d of Pa adise looks a ou d fo i se ts to feed the hi k hat hed o Ma h . Wildlife Co se aio so iet , Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, The Ta F og outh oods its hi k ight side of est at the Wo ld of Bi ds E hi it. D.A.Oehle ©WC“ White-breasted Woodswallow Depe di g o the spe ii a ge of the White- easted Woods allo , A ta us leu o h hus, these i ds a est o u all o as i di idual pai s. The di e ge t eha io s ould e li ked to the e i o e tal o diio s, ith lush, food i h a eas suppo i g g oup efo ts, hile ha sh o diio s suppo t pai s o ki g i depe de tl . The White- easted Woods allo s at the B o )oo appea to app e iate o ki g i pai s ith ou o igi al pai p odu i g t o hi ks o Fe ua . Like thei ou te pa ts i the ild, the te d to a se ies of est sites u il the hoose o e to la thei eggs. A White- easted Woods allo , hat hed i Fe ua , is e a i ed upo ledgi g. Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Featu ed Keepe : Elai a C o ito, Wild A i al Keepe We talk to one of our featured staff members: an ongoing series of interviews submitted by Kevin Hils, Collection Manager, WCS, Bronx Zoo What is ou O ithologi al Ba kg ou d? I ega as a olu tee at the B o )oo i . M i iial i te est as i o ki g ith all a i als, i pa i ula ol es, ut I ui kl a e to ealize that life as fo the i ds a d dedi ated o k to the . Whe did ou ealize this as hat ou a ted to do? “i e the age of eight, I ha e a ted to o k i a i al elfa e. M othe ought e i st ook a out a ials, A i al Wat hi g Des o d Mo is. What ould ou e doi g if ou e et a a i al keepe ? I ould e a u se hu a s , ota ist pla ts , o geologist the ea th . Des i e ou fa o ite pa t of the jo ? M fa o ite pa t is aki g the a ials o te t, to see the a tuall e jo i g thei su ou di g, g o i g, so ializi g, li i g thei li es. What is a o al da like fo ou? Be ause I a a keepe i a otaio , oui e ha ges f o da to da , so that is o al. O e da I pass the da feedi g a d looki g ate ahi ks, i a othe I a feedi g pe gui s, ut e e da o sists of ai tai i g o i p o i g the ell- ei g of i ds th ough ei ulous a d epeated oui e, kee o se aio at all i es, lea i g f o e pe ie es, lea a d e o ded o u i aio , a d de elopi g e p a i es f o the o i aio of all of these. © Ho do ou like o ki g p ese t O itholog tea ? I ha e e e ee happie ith the u e t tea a d e t. I feel suppo ted i ell as i edu aio a d op e t as a keepe . ith the o ki g a ageo k as de el- A ho ies o othe i te ests? T a eli g, olle i g spa kle a ds, oil pai i g, a d o i ued fuile efo ts to lea Ma da i Chi ese. Fa o ite e o o sto ? I ha e too a to hose f o a d ost these e o ies ha e to do ith i te a i g ith the hild e . The e i h ok i ou tless a s. O e e o , i pa i ula , is a litle o ho a up to e a d hugged e a d ould ot let e go. His othe t ied se e al i es to pull hi fo aist, ut he kept u Elai a C o ito feeds a “upe “ta li g i the Wo ld of Bi ds i g a k, his othe Nu se . e plai i g, He just lo es zookeepe s. “o fo o less tha i utes, I fou d self o se i g a Cape aillie i t odu io hile a litle o stu k to e like glue as e slo l alked a k a d fo th fo ou o se aio . Do ou ha e a adi e ou ould gi e to othe s? Do ot t to lea Ma da i Chi ese hile oil pai i g a d ea i g spa kle a ds. What is ou fa o ite a i al to o k ith? The i d i f o t of e is al a s fa o ite. Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Australian Brush Turkeys Arrive Submitted by, Natasha Hook, Senior Keeper, Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo Whe I sta d o de k a d look e a le ild ales to uild ou ds ith ell-sustai ed o e te pe atu es out i to the a d, I ight see a Ca di- fai l al o a C o . E e so ote , a fo i u aio a out ◦C. Both ales White- easted Nuthat h o ‘ed- a d fe ales ha e spe ialized te pe aellied Woodpe ke ill sho up. tu e se si g o ga s i the uppe palate, allo i g i ds to sa ple fo te pe aThe a e a k a d i ds, easil outh. spoted a d ote take fo g a ted. tu e i the ou d The fe ale B ush Tu ke lo ates the I easte Aust alia, the e is a a kest ou d i the a ea a d la s he a d i d that o a ds a litle it o e ate io , p i a il due to its eggs. “he digs i to the ou d a d sa ples fo the p ope te pe atu e, the esi g eha io . - da s. Ou fe ale With dull la k plu age a d a la s o e egg e e has laid o l o e egg so fa this seaso , ald, eddish head, the Aust alia B ush Tu ke , Ale tu a latha i, is t so it s possi le that ou ale s ou d is the ost ha dso e eatu e. To e less tha ideal fo egg la i g. We a e ofe i g a ious ou d ate ials su h ho est, I as t too i p essed he ou pai a i ed last ea . The e e as de iduous lea es, pi e eedles, a oo lea es, si ks a d t igs, a d d ied sh , a d just ot that e ii g to look at. O e the i te the e a e g asses. Hopefull , e ill e a le to o e o fo ta le ith keepe s a d p o ide hat he eeds to e su essful. I thei atu al ha itat, B ush Tu ke s e e th illed to get a k i to thei a d at the Pheasa t he te - ha e u e ous opio s as fa as ou d pe atu es e a e o e le e t. pla e e t a d ate ials. I so e asA d that s he the e a e i te - es, thei hoi es i g the i to o ta t ith people, a d lite all i to a k a ds. esi g. o sight o pu li a d B ush Tu ke s, like othe Mega- The a e a o podes, i u ate o st u i g a p i ate p ope t i Ne “outh Wales te pe atu e o t olled e i o e t a d Quee sla d. “o e ho eo e s a e the as a ai e o de ; othfo thei eggs. Basi all , the uild e a i u ato i the fo of a la ge e s u se the fo thei ga de dest u ou d of soil a d egetai e de is. io a d ou d a he . As u h as I The de o posi g de is ge e ates a i a e of the Aust alia B ush Tu i o ial heat, hi h a e i - ke s apa it fo o st u io , I haplo al Chi kadees a d eased o de eased addi g o p to si k ith Fli ke s a d ha e tulips e ai u e o i g de is. The espo si ilit of ou d uildi g a d ai te a e s athed. is that of the ale, a d ou ale asted o i e i gei g to o k. We add de is o a dail asis, usuall the a el. B the e t da , he has added ost, if ot all of it. Fa to s su h as A ale Aust alia B ush Tu ke atop a est ou d size a d ou d i Aust alia. hoi e of ate ials © Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Boule a d, B A Boli ia “ allo -tailed Coi ga photog aphed i Madidi Naio al Pa k, Boli ia. Mile lusz “pa o i z©WC“ The Bolivian Swallow-tailed Cotinga Su Co ited y, Elvira Sali as, Coordi ator of Mo itori g a d u i aio , WCS & Jesús Marí ez, Resear h, WCS The Boli ia “ allo -tailed Coi ga, Phi alu a oli ia a, is a e de i i d spe ies f o Madidi Naio al Pa k, the ost iodi e se p ote ted a ea i the o ld. A fo ked a d elo gated tail ga e ise to the a e Palkahupa, i Que hua. This eauiful i d ith feathe s of i te se ello to es, g ee st eaks a d luish- la k ips o l i ha its o ta e sa a as a d adja e t hu id fo ests et ee , a d , ete s a o e sea le el. It easu es et ee a d e i ete s, has sle de legs, a d its eak is oad a d sho t, ith istles a ou d the ja . It as i st des i ed i a d, i the a se e of i fo aio , as thought to e a su spe ies of Phi alua la i ost is, hi h i ha its the easte e d of the o i e t i the Atla i fo ests of southeaste B azil, Pa agua a d A ge i a. I , ate ea s, it as o se ed agai Be et He esse , f o a s ie ii o ga izaio alled A o ía, du i g a s ie ii e pediio o ga ized the WC“. This i di g p o pted esea he s to des i e a d dis o e aspe ts of its e olog a d o se aio status. It is a e da ge ed spe ies due to its e de is , s all populaio of just i diiduals, e t e el est i ted dist i uio , a d th eate ed ha itat due to atle a h e pa sio , a d thus is a o se aio p io it . These o oga ous a d solita i ds a e e a kale due to the spe ial a e the gi e to thei ofsp i g a d thei a ilit to uild ests, p efe a l i a Yu i T ee, B so i a assifolia, hi h also se es as food. The use the li he that g o s o the a hes of these t ees to ake thei ests. The e o s spe d thei i st da s e ei i g food eak to eak, a d ate a othe fo t ight, the e i e fa il lea es the est. At the e d of the eedi g seaso the e i e populaio ig ates i s all g oups to u ide iied a eas, p o a l i to the hu id fo ests of the Yu gas. o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s P ospe t Pa k )oo el o es W eathed Ho ills Submitted by, Sarah G. Parker, Senior Keeper, WCS, Prospect Park Zoo P ospe t Pa k )oo has el o ed ou pai of W eathed Ho ills, R i e os u dulates, to the A i al Lifest les uildi g i the e t al e hi it a ea u de the i o i do ed eili g. P e iousl , the ee o ed seaso all et ee a outdoo e hi it a d a i te holdi g a ea, ut a e o pe a e tl housed i a lush e hi it e o ated fo the as ell a pai of Vi to ia C o ed Pigeo s, Gou a i to ia. The e e hi it is ell pla ted ith a spe ies fou d i “outheast Asia i ludi g ‘uled Fa Pal a d T a ele s Pal . The a kg ou d u al depi ts o e pla t spe ies ha a te isi of W eathed Ho ill ha itat, su h as “tagho Fe s a d Ma g o e Fa Pal s. These pla i gs a e su e to ake the ouple feel ight at ho e. I the ild, W eathed Ho ills est i lo ks a d so the u al e e i ludes othe esi g ho ills. Be su e to look fo the o ou e t isit to P ospe t Pa k )oo. © Ou pai has ee togethe fo so e i e a d a e ell o ded. Ho e e , the ha e ot ep odu ed to date a d e hope that thei e e hi it e ou ages the to eed. I addiio to the a ele e ts hi h a e i te ded to i e se isito s i the atu al eaut of “outheast Asia, e ha e i luded a est o o e ed i a k. This est o is a a alga aio of desig s f o se e al i situio s, easu es i i i , a d has a s all ope i g fo the fe ale to e te . It is hu g as high as the e hi it ill allo as this spe ies ests i t ee a iies i the ild. Natu al ood pe hi g i the e hi it is a a ged to allo fo a ess to this est o as ell as a i u light fo e e ise a d health od o diio . Upo ei g eleased i to the e e hi it, the fe ale sho ed i ediate i te est i he est o ut has ot spe t u h i e i it as of et. This is ot u usual. I the i st api e eedi g of this Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe spe ies at the B o )oo, the pai ade o eal ate pt to est u il the ea ate the e e i t odu ed to thei e hi it despite ei g a deoted pai . “hould ou W eathed Ho ills hoose to est, e ould e pe t the fe ale to setle i to he est o so ei e ea the e d of i te . At this i e she ill seal the e t a e ith ate ial ought to he the ale u il o l a s all ope i g e ai s th ough hi h she a d the hi k ill e fed. “he ill e ai i the a it fo o ths u il she e e ges ith he hi k. W eathed Ho ill hi ks i iiall ese le ales, though thei plu age a e eal the to e fe ale ate the atu e. Ou W eathed Ho ills appea to e e jo i g thei e e hi it thus fa a d ha e gote alo g faousl ith thei Vi to ia C o ed Pigeo eigh o s. P ospe t Pa k )oo looks fo a d to o i ui g the su ess that the WC“ has had i eedi g this spe ies. Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Rendezvous with Tinamou Submitted by, Patricia Cooper, Senior Keeper, Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo ales. Males esta lish alli g a eas, ithi hi h the dig a est o l; fe ales isit the alli g ale fo opulaio a d egg la i g. The eggs, o side ed so e to e the ost eauiful of all i d s eggs, a e a gloss oli e g ee . The ale i uates the eggs a d aises the p e oial hi ks. The a est of Ti a ous is a o g Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ the oldest of the steppela ds i ha ita ts, p o a l de i ed f o a li eage The Elega t C ested Ti a ou, Euthat dates a k illio ea s. Ou ea th d o ia elega s, is a ha is ai te est ihas i led the su illio i es si e thei al i d f o the s u la ds of southki d i st alked upo it , Willia Co a e Chile a d A ge i a. Ti a ou a e poei all ites i his ook A t III – I Patalosel elated to aites i.e. Ost i hes go ia. a d ‘heas , though u like aites the a WC“ s B o )oo has ee ste a ds of the l sho t dista es. The s ie ii a e Elega t C ested Ti a ou fo se e al de ades. "Eud o ia elega s", esides ei g a g eat Though ote des i ed as ei g sh a d a e fo a NP‘ o espo de t, is loosese ei e, ou olle io i ds te d to e outl dei ed as " eat, u i g es ape" goi g a d el o i g of ate io . The a e hi h des i es the Ti a ou s ha it of u e tl housed i ou “outh A e i a u si g up a d s ate i g to a oid s u la d e hi it at the Wo ld of Bi ds, alo g a da ge ous situaio . Thei diet o sists ith Gui a u koos. The e hi it is e e le el of seeds, lea es, f uit, a d i se ts. ith hild e , a d oth Elega t C ested Ti aElega t C ested Ti a ou a e pol a ou a d Gui a Cu koo a e happ to g eet the d ous, o e fe ale eeds ith uliple delighted fa es of isito s ea h da . A adult Elega t C ested Ti a ou i the Wo ld of Bi ds E hi it. A Second Chance for Pelicans Submitted by, Susan Schmid, Assistant Supervisor, Ornithology Department, WCS, Bronx Zoo Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ The B o Peli a , Pele a us o ide talis, is the s allest of eight peli a speies a d is fou d i oastal a eas of the southe a d este U ited “tates. This is o e of the o l t o spe ies of peli a s that a tuall di es i to the ate to feed o ish. Histo i all , the e e listed u de the U“ E da ge ed “pe ies A t f o . This as due i la ge pa t to the use of he i als su h as DDT a d Dield i . The use of these he i als as a ed the U“ go e e ti , si e the the populaio has o i ued to g o , ith the u e t populaio o at , i di iduals. The B o Peli a is espe iall i pa ted the use of o oila e t li e, used ishe e . Most ote the peli a s a e a ide tall hooked a ishe a as the i ds t to take the ait f o the hooks. © The li e is ote ut a d the i d is let ith o oila e t li e that i pedes its o ilit a d a ilit to feed p ope l . O the a e ta gled i dis a ded li e that has ee let ha gi g f o t ees o pie s. The Gulf Coast Wildlife ‘es ue GCW‘ as fou ded ea s ago a d has ee helpi g ildlife ith a issio to es ue a d elease i ds o e the ha e ee healed. App o iatel , % of the B o Peli a s that o e i to the e te ha e had i ju ies elai g to o oila e t issues. These a e t pi all ou g i ds, o e a d t o ea s of age. The e te has a up to a % elease ate ith a % pla ee t ate. The i ds ei g pla ed ha e healed f o thei i ju ies ut a e ot al a s eleasale e ause of the o se ue e of se e e i juthat ill afe t thei li elihood i the ild. The B o )oo s O itholog Depa t e t as o ta ted the di e to of the GCW‘, Da a “i o , to ask if e ould e i te ested i p o idi g pe a e t ho es fo o - eleasa le peli a s. “o fa e ha e ee a le to p o ide a ho e fo i e B o Peli a s that othe ise a ha e had a tough i e i di g a pe ae t ho e. It is a g eat feeli g to k o that e a e ot o l helpi g a i als to su i e i the ild ut gi i g the a se o d ha e at life i a zoo e i o e t. This su e , the B o Peli a s ill e esidi g at the Ne Yo k A ua iu to ele ate oastal o se aio the es. Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Ju e ile G ee - i ged Ma a s D.A.Oehle ©WC“ Green-winged Macaws journey to the Children’s Zoo Submitted by, David A. Oehler, Curator of Ornithology, WCS, Bronx Zoo T o ju e ile G ee - i ged Ma a s, A a hloopte us, hat hed o Ma h ,a d e e t a sfe ed f o the Quee s )oo to the Nu se at the B o )oo fo ha d- ea i g. These ju e iles ha e ee t a sfe ed to the “pe ial A i al E hi its fo displa i the Child e s )oo. These a a s ill e joi i g othe “outh A e i a a i als i the e l e o ated Child e s )oo a d highlight the plight of these i ds i the ild. O e the last it ea s, the G ee i ged Ma a populaio s i o the a d Ce t al A e i a ha e ee edu ed % due to ha itat loss. WC“ is o ki g ha d i a eas, su h as Madidi Naio al Pa k, Boli ia, to p ote t the e t ao di a a ou t of iologi al di e sit fou d the e, i ludi g the G ee - i ged Ma a s. These pa i ula a a s e e p odu ed at the Quee s )oo, he e the ha e se e al spe ies of a a s i thei o se aio a age e t p og a s. The hi ks e e t a sfe ed to the B o )oo s O itholog Depa t e ts u se at th ee eeks of age. This allo ed fo the u o pli ated t a sfe of the i ds to the Child e s )oo, o e the e e ea ed. “top the Child e s )oo, this su e , to see these e addiio s a d to i d out ho ou a do o e to help sa e these ag ii e t i ds i the ild. Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s Neo ithes Ne s Volu e : Issue Ap il, Ci e eous Vultu es i Mo golia Julie La se Mahe ©WC“ The Cinereous Vulture, A Mongolian Icon The Ci e eous Vultu e, Aeg pius o a hus, is the ost e da ge ed spe ies of apto i Eu ope. De elop e t of ag i ultu al p a i es edu ed thei food suppl as these i ds of p e s a e ge the dead a asses of Eu opea iso a d othe la ge a als. The pe se e e i Mo golia a o e, at a a ass ith a e s , although e eed to lea o e a out thei ge e al e olog to e su e thei su i al. WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. WC“ e isio s a o ld he e ildlife th i es i health la ds a d seas, alued so ieies that e a e a d e eit f o the di e sit a d i teg it of life o ea th. Ou goals a e to o se e o e half of the pla et’s k o iodi e sit a d so e of its ost i o i a d th eate ed spe ies, hile e eii g the ell- ei g of the people esidi g i these egio s Fo see the full posi g go to: htp:// log. s.o g/ photo/ / / /the- i e eous- ultu e-ao golia -i o - o golia-asia/ WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Bronx Zoo Ornithology Department 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10460 USA © Wildlife Co se aio so iet , “outhe Boule a d, B o , NY, , U“A/The Neo ithes Ne s