Celebrating National Bird Day 2023

Written by: Zoe Glover 
Zoo Educator ​

The Zoo recently celebrated National Bird Day, started in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition, as a day to bring awareness to species that are at risk of becoming endangered or extinct due to habitat loss and climate change. You can help support birds by doing any of the following: learn about bird species local to your area, plant flowers and plants that attract birds, build birdhouses, or donate to or visit a zoo or aviary. Here is a closer look at some of the many fascinating bird species you can find at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo!

AFRICAN GREY PARROT
African grey parrots are an endangered species mainly found in the lowland moist forests of central and West Africa, as well as the island of Principe. In their natural habitat, African greys are omnivorous, and mainly feed on nuts, fruits, leafy matter, insects, bark, and flowers. Social and chatty birds, they communicate within their flock using squawks, whistles, shrieks, and screams. The adult African greys have pale grey plumage, or feathers, with whitish edges on the head and neck and a prominent bright red tail. Juveniles, however, have a grey-tinged undertail with a bright red tip. Here at the zoo, we have Zari, our chatty Ambassador Animal, so be sure to look for her on programs!

Read More