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African pygmy goose (Nettapus auritus)

Mary Schwalm Turacao in the Central Park Zoo.

Where found: These aquatic birds are actually ducks, not geese. They primarily live in the swamps, marshes, and ponds of tropical Africa and the island of Madagascar. At the Central Park Zoo, you will find these geese in the water when you first enter the Tropic building, just inside the door or on the left hand side of the exhibit, near the tortoises.
Diet: They feed on aquatic plants and aquatic insects and their larvae. At the CPZ, these birds are fed avian pellets, seeds, and vitamin E.
Length: Up to 11-12 inches.
Weight: Male 285g, Female 260g.
Life span: 10-15 years in captivity.
Description: As tends to be the case with birds, the male is larger than the female and more colorful. He has green ear patches and metallic green on his back. His head is a colorful turquoise and white. The female is much darker- usually a brown or gray. Both male and female ducks have claws on their feet, which is useful since they perch and make their nests in trees.

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) AKA “Sparrow Hawk”
Where found: Farmlands, residential areas, and even urban areas of North America. These birds have adapted to living with humans.
Diet: Insects, small mammals, small birds, lizards, snakes, and frogs.
Description: The smallest of the falcons, this bird may way only 3- 6.4 ounces, but can be as long as 12 inches and have a wingspan as great as 20-24 inches. Males and females are dissimilar, but both are generally rust or brown color, with a dark hooked beak and long, narrow pointed wings. These birds may reach speeds of 65 mph.
Additional references :
“American Kestrel”, Henry Robinson Zoo, 2006. www.hensonrobinsonzoo.org
“American Kestrel”, Nature of New England, 2006. www.nenature.com

Bali mynah (Leucopsar rothschildi)
Where found: Bali. In fact, the only bird native to Bali.
Diet: Insects and fruits.
Weight: 85-100 grams.
Length: Up to 9 inches.
Description: This bird is new to the Central Park Zoo and the Tropic building. They are almost entirely white except for the black tips on the wings and the blue mask-like coloring over their eyes. The feet and legs are a blue-gray as is the beak.
Threats: These birds are critically endangered- there are only about 14 left in the wild today. Major threats to the Bali mynahs are the pet trade, lumbering, and poaching.
Additional reference

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