Physical Description

Vultures are very large birds with sharp, hooked beaks for tearing apart meat and wide wingspans. New World vultures have a distinctive bald head, an adaptation that helps reduce the risk of disease. Their strong immune system allows vultures to eat rotting and possibly infected meat without getting sick. They have long, horizontal nostrils with a space between them and lack a voice box, so they cannot make any sound except hisses and grunts.

Predators

Jaguars, mountain lions, hawks, eagles, and raccoons.

Lifespan

In the wild vultures live around 20 years. Under human care they can live into their 30s.

Reproduction

Vultures form monogamous pairs for life, and males will court females by showing off their flying skills, almost touching the females’ wing tip as they fly by. New World vultures lay their egg(s) in a cave or under a rocky overhang, under bushes or rock piles, or in tree hollows or fallen logs. Females lay one egg if she is a larger vulture and two eggs if she is smaller. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. Chicks remain in the nest for 2-3 months until they learn how to find and compete for food.

Fun Facts

• Black vultures maintain close social ties with their extended families throughout their lives.
• When a vulture is upset, its head turns red and it looks like it is blushing.

Conservation Messaging

Most of the Bird of Prey here at the zoo are all rehabilitated birds who have sustained different injuries deeming them unreleasable. These birds fall victim to debris found on the side of the road. If it’s an apple core, banana peel, or some discarded trash it will attract their prey items which will then attract the bird of prey. Birds of prey have tunnel vision when hunting and will often not see a car coming. One simple way we can help is to dispose of all your trash properly, even natural items like apple cores and banana peels.

Physical Description

A barred owl is the second largest owl in Pennsylvania. It is easily recognized by its stocky body, large dark brown eyes, and the puffy round head with no ear tufts. The horizontal bars on the throat and upper breast, and the vertical streaks on the belly give this owl its name.

Predators

Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and occasionally snakes and other birds of prey.

Lifespan

In the wild, owls live on average around 5-10 years. Under human care they can live up to 30 years.

Reproduction

Owls are usually solitary outside of breeding season. Male owls may bring offerings of food, dropping the item near the female, who is usually much larger, to catch her interest. If prey is scarce, only two or three eggs may be laid; if food is easily available, then six or more eggs may be laid. Chicks generally hatch two days apart, with the oldest chicks getting the most food. Young owl chicks are cared for by their mother for about three months.

Fun Facts

• Young Barred Owls can climb trees by grasping the bark with their bill and talons, flapping their wings, and walking their way up the trunk.
• Barred owls are one of the most vocal owl species.

Conservation Messaging

Most of the Bird of Prey here at the zoo are all rehabilitated birds who have sustained different injuries deeming them unreleasable. These birds fall victim to debris found on the side of the road. If it’s an apple core, banana peel, or some discarded trash it will attract their prey items which will then attract the bird of prey. Birds of prey have tunnel vision when hunting and will often not see a car coming. One simple way we can help is to dispose of all your trash properly, even natural items like apple cores and banana peels.

Physical Description

Barn owls can be identified by their heart-shaped facial disk, white underparts, and long legs. Owl eyes are so big that there is little room for eye muscles, meaning owls can’t move their eyes. Instead, owls move their entire head turning their heads about 270 degrees in either direction.

Predators

Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, bears, and occasionally snakes and other birds of prey.

Lifespan

In the wild, owls live on average around 5-10 years. Under human care they can live up to 30 years.

Reproduction

Owls are usually solitary outside of breeding season. Male owls may bring offerings of food, dropping the item near the female, who is usually much larger, to catch her interest. If prey is scarce, only two or three eggs may be laid; if food is easily available, then six or more eggs may be laid. Chicks generally hatch two days apart, with the oldest chicks getting the most food. Young owl chicks are cared for by their mother for about three months.

Fun Facts

• Having the most sensitive hearing of all owls, the barn owl can pinpoint the direction and distance of rustling prey in total darkness.
• Not a hooting owl, this bird makes raspy screeches, hisses, and clicks with its beak.

Conservation Messaging

Most of the Bird of Prey here at the zoo are all rehabilitated birds who have sustained different injuries deeming them unreleasable. These birds fall victim to debris found on the side of the road. If it’s an apple core, banana peel, or some discarded trash it will attract their prey items which will then attract the bird of prey. Birds of prey have tunnel vision when hunting and will often not see a car coming. One simple way we can help is to dispose of all your trash properly, even natural items like apple cores and banana peels.

Physical Description

African penguins, like all penguin species, are flightless birds. Instead, penguins use their small, dense feathers for insulation, repelling water, and protecting their skin. They are stiff contour feathers which overlap each other like shingles on a roof and help keep their skin dry. Underneath them is a thin layer of down feathers which hold a pocket of air. The contour feathers help trap that air and its heat next to the skin.

Having a body shaped like a torpedo or bowling pin helps make them more hydrodynamic so they can swim faster. Their belly is white and may have some black flecks on it, while their back is black. This is called countershading and provides them with camouflage in the water.

Predators

African Penguins have two main predators in the wild; these include sharks and sea lions. Their eggs are preyed upon by kelp gulls and sacred ibis as well as as well as large herons, Cape genet, mongoose, rats, domestic cats, and leopards. Humans also have been known to collect penguin eggs because they have been considered a delicacy.

Lifespan

The average life span for African penguins in the wild is 10-15 years. In human care, the average is 20-30 years.

Reproduction

Large colonies gather together on land when it is time to breed, molt, or rest. African penguins breed year-round, but it can vary depending on the year, season and colony. Primarily monogamous, African penguins will often form the same pair bonds every year. Males will court females with various physical displays, which she will respond to if she is receptive to his courting.

The female will then lay 1-2 eggs about 2-4 days apart. Incubation will last about 40 days. The parents will alternate incubating the eggs and foraging for food in the ocean. When penguin chicks hatch, they will be reliant on their parents for warmth, food, and protection for several weeks. When they are about 70-90 days old, they will finally grow their waterproof contours they need to begin heading into the water on their own.

Fun Facts

• African penguins experience an annual catastrophic molt. Over a period of approximately 18 days, they will replace all of their feathers, and during this time, they will be unable to feed because their downy feathers exposed during the molt are not waterproof.
• While diving for food, they average depths of 16-80 feet but can reach depths of up to 300 feet! Having solid, heavy bones (unlike most birds, which have hollow bones), also helps them with be able to dive deeper.

Conservation Messaging

South African penguins are considered endangered but there are many ways we can help their populations in the wild. One easy way to do this is to choose sustainable seafood options. You can download the Seafood Watch smartphone application by Monterey Bay Aquarium to ensure the seafood you’re purchasing is sustainably sourced. You can also download their pamphlet which will provide you with the best fish choices, appropriate alternatives, and certain fish species to avoid when fishing or purchasing food. Making smart and sustainable choices will help ensure that penguins in the wild are left with plenty of fish to eat!

To learn more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch App, visit: seafoodwatch.org.

Another great organization to support is the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds or (SANCCOB). SANCCOB is located in South Africa and actually helps rescue, rehab, and release South African Penguins which is helping their wild populations. You can help SANCCOB sustain their mission by donating or by “adopting” a penguin that is currently undergoing care. To learn more or to make a donation, visit: www.sancobb.org.