PART III: IN Nine in 13 days, or,

In addition to several types of , a Green (Pavo Zoologischer Garten ’s breeding pair of Andean Condors (Vultur muticus), above, presents the colorful side of Tierpark Berlin. gryphus) share their with a variety of other South American birds.

By Josef Lindholm, III Senior Aviculturist, Th e Dallas World Aquarium Photography by Natalie Mashburn Lindholm

Editor's note: Josef Lindholm made his fi rst trip to , for over four hundred and subspecies of birds, about half of 13 days, in April and May 2008. He was accompanied by his wife, which can be seen at either collection. Th us the combined total Natalie, who had been there once 10 years before. Among the nine comes to slightly more than six hundred—a collection larger zoos they visited, they saw more than 800 species and subspecies than Walsrode’s. of birds, perhaps closer to 1,000, of which at least 110 were birds he Established in 1844, Zoologischer Garten Berlin is Germa- had never seen in before. This is the third and fi nal install- ny’s oldest existing , and generally reckoned the ninth oldest ment af his report on their trip. zoo in the world. It has also been famed as Th e Largest Zoo in the World for a long time. Occupying 86 acres, it has displayed Zoologischer Garten Berlin enormous numbers of species for most of its history. In August, The severe attack of sensory overload brought on 1901, 894 forms of birds and 402 of mammals were invento- by three days at Walsrode was only aggravated by six days in Ber- ried (Kloes, 1969), though it is likely domestic breeds were lin. Since 2007, Berlin’s two zoos have been under one Direc- included in this total. At the outbreak of the First World War, tor, Dr. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz. He told me that each includes in 1914, there were a thousand sorts of birds, and fi ve hundred of

22 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 22 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:52 PM GERMAN ZOOS If this is Monday, it must be Berlin!

mammals (Kloes, 1969). Near to San Diego, where the collec- Reeve’s . Because of Ocellated Turkeys, Kagus the end of 1938, shortly before tion had fallen to 441 taxa at the luxurious indoor quarters, (which have bred), Black World War II began, there the end of 1980, the West Ber- Dr. Rudolf Reinhart, Curator Francolins, California Quail, were 2,519 birds of 926 forms, lin collection was remark- of Birds, at the zoo since 1977, Black-winged (Fire-crowned) 1,196 mammals of 385 forms ably stable for more than a decided to emphasis species Bishops, White-shouldered (Kloes, 1969), and 750 spe- decade. Th e IZY statistics from that do better with warmth in Starlings (Sturnus sinensis), cies of fi shes, , rep- 31 December 1974 through 31 the winter. Th us, since the city Red-rumped Caciques, and a tiles, and (Frae- December 1982, are of a bird of Berlin was unifi ed, most female European Golden Ori- drich, 2002). At War’s End, collection that only fl uctuated species of pheasants have been ole come readily to mind. For in 1945, there were 91 individ- between 708 and 729 taxa! displayed at Tierpark Berlin, me, a particular surprise were ual left alive (Kloes, At the end of 1984 the collec- in the former Eastern Sector. Little Bitterns, bred by an 1969). Th ese included ances- tion was at 688 taxa, rising to Th ere are some pheasants in Austrian private aviculturist. tors of Hippos and Hama- 693 at the end of 1986. At the the Pheasantry. A pair of Sia- A pair of Bearded Reedlings, dryas Baboons living there end of 1989 the collection was mese Firebacks are a memo- which have bred repeatedly, today, as well as a , an down to 580 taxa. Th e fi nal rial to the Dr. Hans Fraedrich, had a little outdoor aviary to Australian , a Kagu, IZY statistics, for 31 Decem- who was Director from 1991 themselves. I was not imme- a Ground Hornbill, an un- ber 1996, showed the collec- to 2002. Th ere are none in diately able to identify a large, named Touraco, and an Ori- tion at 500 taxa, 89 more than ISIS-listed US zoos at present, dark bird with purplish iri- ental White which lived San Diego. although this gorgeous bird descence, which initially into the 1960’s. As of 31 December 2007, is not rare in . Th e reminded me of a New World Despite the marooning of out of a total inventory same is true for the Gray Pea- Jay. Th is turned out to be a Bird by the Soviets, of 13,726 specimens of 1,386 cock Pheasant, which can only of Paradise—A Trumpetbird and other diffi culties involved taxa, there were 2,680 birds of be seen in two U.S. zoos now. (Phonygammus keraudrenii). in post-war reconstruction, 407 species and subspecies at It was especially pleasing to see Other odd birds from New the recovery of the bird collec- Zoologischer Garten Berlin, a male Bronze-tailed Peacock Guinea were Channel-billed tion progressed through the more than any zoo collection Pheasant at Berlin, as there (Scythrops novaehol- 1950’s. According to the Inter- in North America. have not been any in Ameri- landiae), which looked like national Zoo Yearbook, there Th e long, rather low build- can zoos for years. (“It’s nice to some sort of strange hornbill. were 1,534 birds of 386 species ing known as the Pheasantry see them now” remarked Jean Like some other rare birds at in the collection at the end of displays more species then Delacour, as we were look- Berlin, as well as some other 1959. A year later there were most U.S. zoo’s entire bird ing at some Bronze-tails at German zoos, these came 473 taxa, and a year aft er that collections. Opened in 1962, San Diego in 1979, “But they from the Swiss celebrity band- 584. At the end of 1965 there it allows viewing of both the won’t be here long—Th ey’re leader Pepe Lienhard, who were 702 species and subspe- indoor and outdoor facili- too dull!”) In contrast, Pala- has remarkable taste in aviary cies. Th e highest year-end sta- ties of most of its inhabitants. wan Peacock Pheasants are birds. As I had mentioned in tistic recorded by the IZY was Beautifully craft ed wood and one of the more well-repre- Part I, I failed to see Cologne’s for 31 December, 1970 (when glass doors allow the birds sented pheasants in U.S. zoos. pair, the only others in a Euro- San Diego Zoo inventoried access to landscaped outdoor It was nice to see this species pean Zoo. Like Cologne’s in 1,097 taxa of birds). runs. Th e indoor area is deco- on display near the other two the past, this pair is kept with Th ere were then 742 avian rated with wonderful wooden peacock pheasants. White-backed Australian taxa at Zoologischer Garten ornaments form the Wading Th e Pheasantry houses a Magpies, whose melodious Berlin (with a total animal Bird House, which was demol- bewildering array of birds: calls could be heard from quite inventory of 2,410 taxa, and ished in WWII, as well as a Pearl-spotted Owlets, Noctur- a distance. Th eir aviary is very 11,92 specimens). In contrast fi ne old metal sculpture of a nal and Bare-faced Curassows, large, so perhaps a breeding of

AFA Watchbird 23

WB_35-4_v13.indd 23 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:54 PM the world’s largest brood-par- We then stepped outdoors to asite may someday take place see the planted , where here. these nocturnal birds can for- Th e most celebrated birds age in the dark. We did not in the Pheasantry are not lit- stay long however, as it devel- erally on public display. At my oped we were standing in the visit, there was a video moni- Cassowary yard. Herr Lenzner tor revealing the inhabitant seemed unconcerned, though of a wooden shelter in a glass we noted Dr. Reinhard stood fronted room—the eighth in the doorway. When a Dou- surviving North Island Brown ble-wattled Cassowary came chick hatched at Zool- around the corner, we all went ogishcer Garten Berlin. Dr. back in. Th is exhibit, where Reinhard attributes Berlin’s cassowaries have been bred, is success with this species to one of a series of yards, includ- their being kept out of doors, ing one for Maguari , since there is much similarity which, along with an enclo- between the climates of Ger- sure for Waldrapps, front on many and With the famous Nineteenth Cen- Head Bird Keeper Th omas tury canal that runs along Lenzner, he took us behind one side of the zoo. Boats full scenes, fi rst to the simple look- of sight-seers and pedestrians ing chest-like wooden struc- on the banks thus get a “shop tures, several feet tall, which window” view of some of the Goldie’s Lorikeets (Psitteuteles goldiei) at Zoologischer Garten Berlin. were the kiwi’s indoor shelters. zoo’s inhabitants.

24 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 24 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:55 PM A few steps from the Pheas- carefully maintained in the antry are aviaries where James’ succeeding four decades. Th e and Andean have Bird House replaced a famous both bred. (Not long aft er my old structure destroyed in the visit, Dr. Reinhard informed Allied air raids of 1943, where, me that one chick of each of along with spacious aviaries, these rarely propagated species there were banks and banks had hatched in 2008 as well). of small cages arranged in All six taxa of fl amingos can tiers, with one or two birds in be seen at this zoo. Chilean each one. When the new bird and Greater Flamingos share house was opened in 1962, one open display, while Carib- it was considered state of the bean Flamingos are in another. art (Kloes, 1963). One thing Lesser Flamingos share an out- I found most surprising is the door aviary with Long-toed percentage of indoor exhibits Lapwings, and other African with access to outdoor aviar- birds, near one of the entrances ies. I have not seen anything to the Bird House. to this extent elsewhere. Most Almost anywhere else, the U.S. bird houses, many built, Pheasantry would more than or remodeled aft er Berlin’s, suffi ce as a zoo bird house, but keep most or all of their birds at Zoologischer Garten Berlin, entirely indoors. a Bird House was built about Th ere is an entirely indoor the same time as the Pheas- walk through aviary in the antry, and both have been Zoologischer Garten’s Bird

AFA Watchbird 25

WB_35-4_v13.indd 25 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:55 PM House, one of the earliest of what is now a standard sort of exhibit everywhere. As it happened, I did not get to spend much time in here, but White-eared Catbirds and Malay Glossy Starlings, both of which have bred there for years, were memorable. Not long aft er my visit a Freckled was hatched in this exhibit, and was the fi rst of its species to be parent-raised in Germany. Th ere is a separate hall for toucans and small and medium-sized hornbills. An African White-crested (or Long-tailed) Horn- bill and Channel-billed Toucans stand out in my mind. Von der Decken’s Hornbills have produced several chicks in recent years. Th ere is also a wing. I was especially pleased to see Illiger’s Macaws, which have bred repeatedly, as have two pairs of Red- tailed Black Cockatoos, and Greater Vasa . Hyacinth and Military Macaws, Galahs, and Citron-crested and Umbrella Cockatoos have also reproduced recently. In a planted aviary in the middle of this hall, a pair of Great Leafbirds were exhibited Philippine (Anas luzonica) in the Vicuna yard at Zoologischer Garten with Green-naped Rainbow Lorikeets. Berlin. Many native species nest or stop through the zoo while migrating. Dr. Reinhard has always been fond of seed-eating birds. As commercial importation of birds to Europe came to an end in breasted Canary (Serinus citrinipectus), and North American 2007, quite a number were added to the collection. I was pleased Cardinals. In some terrarium-like small exhibits set in planted to see a single pair of Orange-cheeked Waxbills occupying a areas, were Cuban Melodious Finches, a Black-and-White Seed- rather large glass-fronted aviary, alongside displays for Bronze- eater (Sporophila luctuosa), Scaly-crowned Weavers (Sporopipes winged Mannikins, Red-backed Manninkins (Lonchura bicolor squamifrons), and Golden-breasted Waxbills. Java Sparrows and nigriceps), Five-colored Munias (Lonchura quinticolor), Goul- Pekin Robins were in a glass-fronted aviary of their own, near dian Finches, and Parson Finches kept with Chestnut-breasted the indoor walk-through. Finches. Among the birds in aviaries connected to outdoor Among the plethora of other birds in this building was a fl ights were Purple Grenadiers, Fischer’s Whydahs, the rarely- Copper Sunbird, several pairs of Bearded Barbets (which have exhibited Speckle-fronted Weaver (Sporopipes frontalis), Red- bred), prolifi c Red-fronted Barbets (Tricholaema diadematum), collared Whydahs (Euplectes ardens), the uncommon Lemon- Blue-winged Kookaburras, Goldie’s Lorikeets (in a row with the

26 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 26 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:56 PM fi nches), Shining Starlings, Scarlet-headed Marsh Birds, an array a Bald Eagle to the zoo in the Cold War days, the American of Ptilinopus Doves (including the Orange-bellied), Ecuador- National Bird has always been on display. Th e current female was ian Collared (or Pale-mandibled) Aracaris, and Spotted Mourn- hatched in Berlin in 1998, and is named “Monica.” are well ing Warblers (Cichladusa guttata) (actually a small East Afri- represented as well. Th e pair of Great Gray Owls have been very can relative of Robin-Chats and Shamas, which I had never seen prolifi c. Ural Owls, which I had never seen before, also have bred before). repeatedly. Th ere are also Sri Lankan Forest Eagle Owls, which Th roughout the grounds of Zoologischer Garten Berlin are bred in the past, and an African Wood . a bewildering multitude of bird displays. In the Meerkat exhibit Dalmatian and Australian breed in one of the many in the Carnivore House, are male Taveta and Jackson’s Weavers. water features. Th e colony of Great near the Pri- Hartlaub’s Ducks live inside the grand domed Hippopotamus mate House was started with several specimens whose descen- House, while in a smaller twin to this modernistic buildings are dents are allowed to fl y free. Th ere is a very extensive collection King , not far from the outdoor exhibit for Humboldt’s of ducks, geese, and swans, with many reared each year. I was and South African Penguins. In a large outdoor walkthrough especially pleased to see Philippine Ducks in the Vicuna exhibit aviary, I saw my fi rst Purple Heron. Th e walk-through display and African Black Ducks in the outdoor Pygmy Hippo display. for shorebirds includes not only the expected fl ocks of Inca In the lake by the restaurant, I was fascinated to see large num- and European Avocets, but Common and Arctic Terns, collected bers of “fl y-in” European Coots, which, with a much more exten- in Berlin’s State of Brandenburg. Th e only major bird exhibit to sive bare white area above their than their North Ameri- survive WWII is the 1908 Pigeon and Dove house, showcas- can relatives, I found attractive. Zoologischer Garten Berlin is ing many obscure, if beautiful, domestic breeds. A huge recently an urban oasis, where all sorts of native species choose to nest or constructed aviary features a breeding pair of Andean Condors, stop through while migrating. At least one of the oaks predates sharing their exhibit with Puna and Puff -necked Ibises, and vari- Columbus’ discovery of America. While I did not see the Marsh ous South American Waterfowl. Warblers that nest in the reeds outside the Hippo House, I did Birds of prey are concentrated in a series of large aviaries, where see and hear one of the fi ve or six Nightingales which hold terri- one may also see both species of Ground Hornbills. Among the tories on the grounds each year (Lange, 2007). Hooded Crows species of are Pondicherry, Palm-nut, Egyptian, were everywhere. Like cormorants, Gray Herons (almost identi- White-headed (which have bred here in the past), and Hooded cal to Great Blue Herons) had become rare in many parts of Ger- Vultures (which raise chicks on exhibit), Lanner Falcons, Ameri- many, in the days when fi shermen and fi sh farmers were allowed can Kestrels, South American Common Caracaras, African Fish to shoot them. When a few showed up at the zoo in the 1990’s, Eagles, and Lammergeiers. Ever since Robert Kennedy brought everyone was delighted. More then fi fty pairs now nest on the

AFA Watchbird 27

WB_35-4_v13.indd 27 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:57 PM grounds, to a somewhat less refl ection of the magnifi cence enthusiastic reception. A spe- of the East German “Work- cies that is always welcome er’s Paradise.” Tierpark, which are the feral Mandarin and translates as Animal Park, was Wood Ducks that appear to be meant to be no mere zoo. In descendents of zoo birds from 1959, construction began on before WWII. It’s inspiring “Th e Largest Animal House that these beautiful animals in the World,” the Alfred- have survived through some Brehm-Haus, which took of the most tumultuous peri- almost four years to complete. ods of history into our present While, in the 1950’s, the focus time. was on building the mammal collection, the bird collection Tierpark Berlin was not ignored. According The more than 40 years to the International Zoo Year- of the Cold War did have book, at the end of 1959, the some positive eff ects. Amer- Tierpark bird collection stood ica probably got to the Moon at 277 species and subspecies. a few years earlier than we oth- At the end of 1964, there were erwise might have. As a corol- 408 taxa. And, quite amaz- lary, science education in the ingly, to the present time, it 1950’s and ’60’s was taken far has not diverged far from this more seriously in U.S. public fi gure! From the IZY fi gures I schools. And Berlin has two have available, through 1989, 1820 Arnold Industrial Way, #N Concord, CA 94520 zoos. the collection was never larger Between the end of the than 453 taxa, or less than 370. Soviet Blockade in 1949, and At present, there are around the erection of the 400 taxa. Part of this stabil- in 1961, a stream of East Ger- ity is due to the fact that only mans crossed the border into three people have directed West Berlin, never to return. this collection, and until the According to the late great zoo 1990’s, there was only one historian Marvin Jones, when Curator of Birds. From 1954, border guards asked these peo- until his death in 1991, Dr. A0712A ple their business, they oft en Heinrich Dathe was in charge. replied that they wanted to In 1991, Dr. Bernhard Blasz- visit the zoo. As Marvin told kiewitz, formerly a Mammal it, this was at least part of the Curator at Zoologischer Gar- motivation for building a big ten became Director. For fi ve zoo in , so defectors months in 1991, the Acting would not have that excuse. Director was Dr. Wolfgang Be that as it may, Tierpark Grummt, who had served as Berlin opened in 1955 (Sgt. Curator of Birds and Assistant Jones, then in the U.S. Army, Director since 1955. His cur- was its fi rst American visitor). rent title is Assistant Director , its 395 acre site Emeritus, and he also serves as (more than four times the size an Honorary Vice President of Zoologishcher Garten) was at Loro Parque. During Dr. formerly the estate of a titled Grummt’s years as Curator, family. From its beginnings Tierpark was renowned for it was intended to serve as a sustained breedings of a wide

28 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 28 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:58 PM array of birds, some of which the park, I was surprised to are reviewed in a paper he pre- fi nd California Screech Owls, sented at the Th ird Delacour near the Wild Boar. Symposium on Breeding Birds Falconiform birds of prey in Captivity, in Los Angeles are similarly spread every- (Grummt. 1987). Dr. Grummt where. On the “Mountain” will be fondly remembered was a wonderful pair of Lam- by many aivcultuists as about mergeiers, raising in clear the only delegate from “:Th e public view, a chick destined Communist Bloc” who regu- for an Austrian release pro- larly attended international gram. Nearby were Steller’s zoo and avicultural confer- Sea Eagles, for which Tierpark ences, and was always cordial has long been famous. In the in discussing his work. I was area where the African eagle delighted to see him on this owls are exhibited is a pair of 2008 visit. magnifi cent Martial Eagles, Following the fall of the which bred for the fi rst time Berlin Wall in 1989, and the in captivity at Tierpark, in Reunifi cation of Germany in 2003. Th eir neighbors include 1990, there was some brief dis- Andean and Falkland Island cussion as to what to do with Caracaras (which have bred Tierpark, but it was quickly for years), Harpy and Imperial decided that the policy would Eagles, and North American be “One City, Two Zoos.” A Western Siberian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo sibericus), the world’s largest Ferruginous Hawks (called Now that Dr. Blaszkiewitz owl, sleeps at Tierpark Berlin. “King Buzzards” in German). has assumed the directorship Near the main entrance, by of both of them in 2007, the refl ected in a rather unassum- (B. cinerascens), the Spot- the beautiful yards for Wisent future progress of these mag- ing modernist entrance, which ted (which reminded me very and Plains Bison, is an avi- nifi cent collections should be belies the grandness of what much of a Great Horned Owl), ary for a reliable breeding most interesting to observe. A one fi nds there. Throughout and the Kenyan subspecies of pair of Golden Eagles. Secre- recognized zoo historian, Dr. the hundreds of acres, birds are the Cape Eagle Owl (B. cap- tary Birds have a spacious avi- Blaszkiewitz (2005) authored everywhere. Natalie told me ensis mackenderi) , which has ary near the camels. And, of a nicely illustrated review of she would not have imagined bred repeatedly. Nearby were course, there is the famous avi- Tierpark’s fi rst half century, that anyone would exhibit so European Little Owls, and ary, built in 1965, along a wing with an emphasis on avicul- many kinds of owls. Near the two South American relatives of the Alfred-Brehm-Haus, tural achievements. He has children’s zoo (with its cheer- of the Barred Owl, neither of 60 meters log, 27 meters wide also written several editions ful exhibits of Canaries, Bud- which I had seen before: the and nine meters high (Dathe, of an amazingly detailed zoo gies, Zebra Finches, and Cock- Chaco Owl ( chacoensis), 1967). We viewed this in the guidebook, which I found nec- atiels) were the granite-colored whose chicks I admired off company of Dr. Martin Kai- essary for sorting out an over- Siberian subspecies of the Great exhibit, and the near-threat- ser, Tierpark’s Curator of load of impressions from two Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo siberi- ened Rusty-barred Owl (S. Birds. European, Himalayan, days of exploring (including cus) as well the tawny Turko- hylophila), which bred for the and breeding Rueppel’s Grif- several hours in his enthusias- men subspecies (B. bubo omis- fi rst time in captivity at Tier- fon Vultures could be com- tic and erudite company). sus), which has been regularly park, in 1972. pared and contrasted, along In contrast to the mag- produced at Tierpark since A breeding pair of their with their smaller relative, the nifi cent reconstructions of 1970. On the other side of the Eurasian relative, the Ural Owl African White-backed Vul- ornately decorated gates, park, near displays of exotic (S. uralensis) was exhibited in ture. Despite having all sorts destroyed in WWII, which cattle, were the pale Bengal the Mountain Animal Hab- of places to nest, a Cinereous- now serve as the entrances to Eagle Owl (B. bubo bengalen- itat, built from rubble from Vulture steadfastlly chooses Zoologischer Garten Berlin, sis) and three sorts of African WWII. Nearby were Snowy a spot on the ground, a few Tierpark’s socialist roots are Eagle Owls: the Vermiculated Owls. Another distance across feet from an admiring public.

AFA Watchbird 29

WB_35-4_v13.indd 29 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:58 PM Secretary Birds (Sagittarius serpentarius) have a spacious area near the The unique Gull’s Aviary at Tierpark Berlin attracts visitors with, among camels at Tierpark Berlin. other inhabitants, Chinese Mergansers.

Hooded Vultures also breed Eclectus (which have hatched something that has gone out relative of the Ring-necked here regularly. A pair of North dozens of chicks at Tierpark of fashion in lots of places. Pheasant has been imported American Vultures since 1965) are on the terrace Th ere were Cabot’s Satyr, and into the U.S. for experimen- hatched at the Calgary Zoo in on the other one. Tierpark Temminck’s Tragopans, Blue, tal release, I had never seen live 1959, produed chicks in 2008, has been breeding macaws for Brown and Tibetan White specimens before. Th ere were which we admired in an off - more than thirty years, begin- Eared Pheasants, and the also Philby’s (Black- exhibit rearing facility. Com- ning in 1974 with Buff fon’s Syrmaticus was represented by faced relatives of Chukars) pact Bateleurs off er a con- and Military Macaws, which Elliott’s, Reeve’s and Ijima’s as well as Himalayan Snow trast to all these vultures. In a were kept in the same avi- Copper Pheasants. Cabot’s Partridges. nearby aviary, a pair of Lesser ary. Th e Buff on’s nested in a Tragopans have bred at Tier- Along with all the pheas- Yellow-headed Turkey Vul- stump, the Militarys on the park since 2000. Tierpark’s a nts , Tier pa rk ’s Phea sa ntr y fea- tures hatched chicks for the ground, and both raised their fi rst White-eared Pheasants tures a remarkable collection fi rst time in Europe in 2004. own chicks (Grummt, 1987). came from China, through the of Chinese birds. Dr. Th e parrot collection is It was the world fi rst captive dealer Van den Brink, in the Martin Kaiser has conducted similarly distributed all over breeding for Buff on’s. Scarlet same shipment as the famous research on the systematics of the zoo. Dr. Blaszkiewitz was and Red-fronted Macaws com- Jersey Wildlife Preservation Tibetan , and, Dr. very pleased to show us some menced breeding in 1984, and Trust birds, and commenced Reinhard informed me, has Madagascar Lovebirds, still the fi rst Blue-throated (Can- breeding in 1968. It has been a taken a particular interest in in quarantine, that were to inde) Macaw hatched in 2000. long time since I’d seen either the pheasantry birds. Th ere join Lesser Vasa Parrots in Hyacinth and Blue-and-Gold Cheer Pheasants or Koklass. were three species of thrushes one of a complex of aviaries, Macaws have also been reared. Tierpark was the fi rst Ger- all new to me: the Siberian near the pheasants, which also Slender-billed Cockatoos com- man zoo to import Vo Quy’s (Zoothera siberica), the Gray- included Bodinus’ Amazons menced breeding in 2003. Pheasant, in 1999, nine years backed (Turdus hortulorum), (Amazona festiva bodini), Yel- In contrast to the birds of aft er the pro- and the Black-breasted (Tur- low-bibbed Lories (hatched at prey and parrots, Tierpark’s gram was started at Hanoi. It dus dissimilis). Th e collection the ), and Green- pheasants are concentrated was of course interesting to of Garrulax laughing thrushes winged Macaws. Blue-headed in a series of aviaries in the see these birds and Edward’s included Elliott’s, Ocel- Macaws and Jamaican Yel- southwest corner of the zoo. Pheasants, a few steps from lated, White-crested, both low-billed Amazons (from the It has been a long time since I each other. Impeyan Monals, Greater and Lesser Neck- same confi scation from which have seen such a collection of Green Peafowl and Amherst laced, and the Hwamei. I had Wuppertal received Black- pheasants on public exhibit. Pheasants presented colorful never before seen the Chinese billed Amazons) occupied avi- I think I saw at least eighteen contrasts. Although Bianchi’s Babax (Babax lanceolatus), a aries on the terrace of one of taxa. It was wonderful seeing Pheasant (Phaisanus colchi- big ground-frequenting bab- the zoo cafes, while Vosmer’s series of closely related birds, cus bianchii), the Tajikistan bler, streaked with earth tones.

30 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 30 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:18:59 PM The European zoo population of Brazilian Tanagers (Ramphocelus bresilus) is Found only in China, Cabot’s Tragopan (Tragopan caboti) was the most thriving, with more than 60 specimens. This male is at Tierpark Berlin. common tragopan in captivity before the First World War.

Th e beautiful Omei Shan Lio- found there. mellancholicus), which, being building opened, the fi rst dis- cichla (Liocichla omeinsis) is were formerly kept here. From found in Arizona and South play of this kind, much copied the subject of a European zoo 1988 through 1996, the Inte- Texas, are a U.S. native but since then. Plans were in place conservation project. Only national Zoo Yearbook doc- also occur down to Argen- to completely remodel this described to science in 1926, uments that 47 Sparkling tina. Despite this huge range, exhibit, which would entail it was unknown in aviculture (Gould’s) Violet-ears hatched I had never before seen cap- the removal of its inhabitants. until the late 1980’s. Th ere was at Tierpark, of which eighteen tive specimens of this bird, In the brief time we were in it, much concern that commer- were reared. It also indicates which resemble a large West- the birds which formed a par- cial trapping would eliminate that an at least partial second ern Kingbird. Another new ticular impression were a num- it from its small range in Sich- generation hatching occurred species for me was the Chest- ber of Crested Oropendolas, uan and Yunan. Th e Chinese in 1992. nut-capped Babbler (Timilia Violet Plantain-eaters, Blue Government’s ban on wild Tierpark Berlin was the fi rst pileata). From what I under- Crowned Pigeons, and Pink- bird imports in 2000 appears zoo in Europe to hatch a hum- stand, this was a rather com- eared and Freckled Ducks. to have stabilized its situa- mingbird, in 1970, though it mon species in the bird trade Th ere is a huge waterfowl tion. Th ere are now more than did not survive, and the IZY forty years ago, but despite collection in many beauti- forty, distributed among at indicates no further reproduc- a wide tropical Asian range, ful outdoor exhibits. It had least ten collections in the UK tive activity from the parents. has been rarely imported since been a while since I had seen and Continental Europe, ad Again, this was a Spar- commercial bird exports from Northern Spur-winged Geese, they continue to breed. Chi- kling Violet-ear. Th is breed- India ceased. Other species in exhibited near the South Afri- nese Greenfi nches Cardeu- ( ing took place in the Alfred these displays included Brazil- can Ostriches and the giraff es. lis sinica), Desert Bullfi nches Brehm House, which has ian Scarlet Tanagers, Cuban Chinese Mergansers live in (Rhodospiza obsoleta) and always housed an impressive Melodious Finches, Painted the gull’s aviary. All the swans, Red-billed Blue Magpies are indoor bird collection, along Finches, Grand Niltavas, except for the Jankowski’s (of displayed here as well. with an encyclopedic collec- Green-headed Bue-winged which I saw at least two pairs Th ere are two other con- tion of large and small cats, Leafbirds, (breeding) Road- in Ludger Brehmer’s collec- centrations of passerines at and some remarkable small runners, and Red-and-Yellow tion) are kept at Tierpark. Dr. Tierpark. Th e front section of mammals. Interspersed with Barbets. Blaszkiewitz pointed out a a walk-through conservatory, enormous indoor moated dis- Th e center of this build- juvenile Whooper and juve- otherwise devoted to Crocodil- plays and other cat exhibits are ing is walk-through conser- nile Bewick’s (rarely hatched lians, large lizards, and turtles, a series of glass-fronted aviaries vatory. Th e most startling in public zoos), in the same features birds of South Amer- with an overall marvelous col- inhabitants were Great Indian exhibit. In one of a series of ica. Scarlet-headed Marshbirds lection of soft bills. I was most Flying Foxes, fl ying around impressive off exhibit indoor and Pompadour Cotingas are surprised to see a couple of in broad daylight. Th ese giant holding facilities, Dr. Kaiser two of the birds that can be Tropical Kingbirds (Tyrannus bats have been here since the showed us a pair of Coscorobas

AFA Watchbird 31

WB_35-4_v13.indd 31 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:19:00 PM on , surrounded by other birds, such as Moluccan Radjah and Australian Shelducks, and Australian Black Ducks. Dr. Blaszkiewitz was .particularly pleased to have just received a pair of the remarkable dimorphic Kelp Geese from Ludger Brehmer, in exchange for a number of Pelicans. Pelicans have a proud history at Tierpark, commencing in 1961, when an Old World White was hatched (Blasz- kiewitz, 2005). Th rough 1982, 23 pelicans of four species had hatched.(Grummt, 1983). By 1992, when the world fi rst breeding of the Australian Pelican took place, all recognized full species of pelican had bred there (Blaszkiewitz, 2005). Th e fi rst second gen- eration Old World Whites hatched in 1970 (the fi rst hatching from a captive-bred pelican anywhere) (Grummt, 1983). Th ird generation birds are breeding now. In warm weather, Tierpark’s pelicans are exhibited near Schloss Friedrichsfeld, the beauti- fully restored palace of the old estate, and oft en wander up to the ornate steps of this building, as if they were peacocks. Dr. Kaiser told me only two of the world’s species are absent from Tierpark: Th e and the . For me, the most memorable species were the Siberian Whites, a pair bugling in duet as we approached Tierpark’s fi rst breeding of this crane was in 2001. Most crane species have bred there, including North America’s Sandhill, in 2005. Th ere is also a wonderful series of storks, ibises and herons. Between Tierpark and Zoologischer Garten, I would not be surprised if the collec- tive holdings of herons at Berlin are the fi nest in the world. Two

Drumming Palm Cockatoo Fine Art Print

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32 Volume XXXV • Number 4 • 2008

WB_35-4_v13.indd 32 FF 06/05/09 6/5/09 2:19:01 PM species I had not seen before were Javan Pond Herons (which are now also bred at Miami Metrozoo) and Australian White-faced Herons. A unique exhibit is a domed aviary for gulls of the world. While gulls have been kept in captivity for long time, they are not usually the fi rst birds that come to mind when zoo animals are considered. Constructed over a natural rock formation, Tier- park’s gull exhibit was opened in 1984. From 1985 through 1996 (the last year breedings were listed by the International Zoo Yearbok), the IZY documents that 72 African Gray-headed Gulls (Larus cirrhocephalus poicephalus), 29 Black-tailed Gulls (L. crassirostris), 13 Mediterranean Gulls (L. melanocephalus), nine Laughing Gulls, and two Black-headed Gulls hatched here. Except for the native German Black-heads, all these species con- tinue to live and breed here, and Gray Gulls (L. modestus) have reproduced here since then. Dr. Kaiser told me the founding stock of the Black-tails (which in German, are “Japan Gulls”) came from the zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea. Dr. Reinhard had earlier informed me that the still prolifi c colony of Gray-headed Gulls are entirely descended from a colony at London Zoo, where over a hundred were hatched from 1975 into the 1990’s (Lindholm, 2007). Lon- don’s birds ceased breeding some years ago. In 2007 eleven of Tierpark’s Gray-heads were sent to Walsrode, where they began to nest almost immediately (Brusland Jensen, 2007). In these Tierpark’s famous Bird of Prey Aviary opened in 1965. days when importation of birds to Germany and the other Euro- pean Union countries has been severely curtailed, it is most Birds, whose many years with this collection gave us an excellent encouraging to see this sort of sustained aviculture, and one can perspective. It was a pleasure to meet again with Dr. Wolfgang only hope these sorts of activities will sustain the remarkable zoo Grummt, Assistant Director Emeritus. that exit there today. Blaszkiewitz, B. (2005) 50 Jahre Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichs- felde. H. Heenemann GmBH & Co. Acknowledgements Dathe, H. (1967) Bird of prey aviary at East Berlin Zoo. Interna- My wife Natalie and I most grateful for the courtesy extended tional Zoo Yearbook 7:69-70. to us as zoo professionals, of the comfortable and convenient Fraedrich H. (2002) Guide-book to the Berlin Zoological Gar- guest room at Zoologischer Garten Berlin, a European tradition den and its Aquarium, second international edition Zoolo- that has yet to catch on with most American zoos. gischer Garten Berlin. Grummt, W. (!983) Breeding pelicans at Tierpark Berlin. . Pro- Zoologischer Garten Berlin ceedings—Jean Delacour/IFCB Symposium on breeding Our old friend Dr. Rudolf Reinhard, Curator of Birds (and birds in captivity. 1983:297-302.. responsible for much of the mammal collection) made sure that _____. (1987) Breeding Lesser Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) and we thoroughly enjoyed our six days in Berlin, and shared with us other rare and interesting breeding successes at Tierpark insights that only more than 30 years at one collection could pro- Berlin. Proceedings—Jean Delacour/IFCB Symposium on vide. Dr. Bernhard Blaszkiewitz, Director of both Berlin zoos, breeding birds in captivity. 1987:20-25. also showed me things, as only he could, at Zoologischer Garten. Kloes H.-G. (1963) New Bird House at West Berlin Zoo, Inter- Head Keeper of birds Th omas Lenzner was enthusiastic in intro- national Zoo Yearbook 4:153-155. ducing us to Kiwis. _____. (1969) Von der zu tierparadies—125 Jahre Tierpark Berlin Zoo Berlin. Haude & Spener. I don’t think I have met any Zoo Director who enjoys his job Lange, J. (2007) Th e Guide to the Berlin Zoo and its Aquarium, as much as Dr. Blaszkiewitz. Spending a good portion of a day 50th Edition. Zoologischer Garten Berlin. at Tierpark in his company was a joy. On another day, we toured Lindholm, J.H (2007) Gulls (Larinae) IN Holland, G. (2007) other sections of the park with Dr. Martin Kaiser, Curator of Encyclopedia of Aviculture. Hancock House: 503-509.

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