Bird zone
More than 40 species of birds,
Are you ready to meet them full of personality?
Birds
Welcome Zone
Scarlet macaw
- Scientific name Ara macao
- Habitat Rainforest from southern Mexico to Central America, south of South America to east of Argentina
- Life 60 ~ 80years
- Size 85 ~ 90cm / 0.8 ~ 1.1kg
The bird's body is primarily covered in red colored feathers while its upper wing coverts displaying a vibrant blend of bright red, yellow, and blue feathers, giving off a rainbow-like glow.
Its diet mainly consists of fruits and nuts, though it also supplements its nutrition with flowers and nectar.
This bird often feeds on unripe fruits.
These unripe fruits have tough skins and firm flesh, and some even contain toxins that deter most other animals from eating them.
This gives the bird an advantage in food competition.
To neutralize the toxins, birds eat clay from riverbanks.
Their beaks are thick and sturdy, allowing them to crack open hard nutshells that other animals cannot easily break.
Due to excessive hunting and habitat loss from deforestation for agriculture, their population is on the decline.
Blue and yellow macaw
- Scientific name Ara ararauna
- Habitat Savannahs and rainforests in North America, from Panama to Argentina to Central America
- Life 60 ~ 80years
- Size 85 ~ 90cm / 0.9 ~ 1.2kg
The bird has a bluish tint (glass color) with green on its back, which is why it's colloquially known as "Glass Macaw" in native language.
While its entire body is blue, its cheeks are a pale yellowish-white that stretches above and below the eye and to the side.
The facial feather pattern of the Hyacinth Macaw is unique to each individual, much like a human fingerprint.
Its chest, the sides of its neck, and the interior of its wings are yellow, and its beak is black.
This species of parrot, often seen perched on pirates' shoulders in movies and other media, is widely recognized as a symbol of pirates.
This image is partly because of its rarity and the high price it fetched - ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars - making it a significant item of pirate trade.
Red and green macaw
- Scientific name Ara chloroptera
- Habitat Forests and woodlands in northern and central South America
- Life 60 ~ 80years
- Size 90 ~ 95cm / 0.9 ~ 1.5kg
Red and green macaw is often confused with the Scarlet Macaw due to their similar appearances, but they can be easily distinguished once you know the differences.
Red and green macaw has wing coverts that are mostly a mix of dark green and blue, and contrary to the Blue and yellow macaw, it has distinctive lines made of small red feathers on white skin around its eyes.
Its habits and diet are the same as other macaws.
Greater sulphur-crested cockatoo
- Scientific name Cacatua galerita galerita
- Habitat Temperate and tropical forests, savannas, grasslands, etc. of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Oceania
- Life 60 ~ 80years
- Size 50 ~ 55cm / 700 ~ 950g
This bird is a native species of Australia, widely found in the northern and eastern parts of the continent and is characterized by its predominantly white fur, excluding its yellow crest.
Both males and females have similar physical features, but one can distinguish between them by their eye color: females have reddish-brown eyes, while males have a deeper brown hue.
In the wild, they live in groups ranging from dozens to hundreds.
During the day, they roam several kilometers in search of food, but return to their nests at night.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects.
Major michell's cockatoo
- Scientific name Cacatua leadbeateri
- Habitat Australian semi-arid inland and subtropical regions, conifers and woodlands
- Life 40 ~ 50years
- Size 45 ~ 60cm / 320 ~ 425g
This bird has a vibrant red and yellow crest, with its tail sporting the same colors.
Its face and body are peach-colored, while the inner wing feathers have a deep pink hue.
The feathers were commonly used for decoration by Australian indigenous people.
And because its crest color and pattern resemble the ornaments of indigenous chiefs, the bird has been affectionately referred to as the "Indian Chief Parrot."
Eclectus parrot
- Scientific name Eclectus roratus
- Habitat Solomon Islands, Sumba, New Guinea and Northeast Australia Forest, Flood Forest
- Life 40 ~ 50years
- Size 35 ~ 40cm / 450 ~ 600g
While most parrot species have identical or similar looks between males and females, the New Guinea parrot has markedly different coloration between sexes.
The male typically has a bright green body, with primary wing coverts in blue, inner wing coverts in red, and a beak in orange or yellow.
On the other hand, the female is predominantly bright red, with shoulders and inner wing coverts having a purplish hue, blue on the edges of the wings, and a black beak.
The indigenous people of New Guinea sometimes use the vibrant feathers of wild New Guinea parrots for decoration.
In the wild, they feed on various foods, including the seeds of eucalyptus and acacia, fruits, figs, hard nuts, flowers, and sprouts. They are especially fond of pomegranates and papayas.
Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot
- Scientific name Amazona oratrix
- Habitat Mangrove forests and forest areas in Mexico and northern Central America
- Life 40 ~ 50years
- Size 38 ~ 43cm / 470 ~ 520g
The bird has a bright green body with its entire head colored yellow.
The shoulder has a hint of red, which is not evident when young but becomes more pronounced with age.
The bird's wild habitat range is limited, and its population is not large.
Due to habitat reduction and excessive capturing, its numbers have drastically decreased since the mid-1970s.
Its population has declined by more than 90% in the wild, making it highly susceptible to extinction.
It has a strong social nature and is known to live in groups of hundreds.
This bird is also famous for its singing ability, particularly for mimicking various pitches.
Its diet primarily consists of fruits, nuts, legumes, flowers, and sprouts.
African grey parrot
- Scientific name Psittacus erithacus
- Habitat Western and Central tropical forests of the African continent
- Life 40 ~ 50years
- Size 35 ~ 40cm / 402 ~407g
Only its tail and under-tail feathers are red, and the rest of its body is covered in grayish feathers, earning the nickname "Gray Parrot" It is also known for its high intelligence and is considered one of the best in language ability.
They are the largest parrot species on the African continent, usually found in pairs or large groups.
During active hours of the day, they perch on high tree branches and follow specific routes for foraging.
They are herbivores, feeding on seeds, young leaves, grains, and tree fruits.
Golden conure
- Scientific name Guaruba guarouba
- Habitat Northern Brazil, Amazon River and Basin
- Life 20 ~ 30years
- Size 34 ~ 36cm / 200 ~ 250g
This bird has a predominantly yellow color, including its tail.
When the birds are young, they have green feathers on their head and back, but their feathers become entirely yellow as they mature.
The outer feathers of the wings are covered in dark green.
Due to its attractive golden feathers, it has been subject to excessive capture, and with the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, its habitat has decreased significantly.
As a result, it is listed as a vulnerable species on the brink of extinction.
It's herbivorous, consuming a diverse diet that includes various fruits, flowers, shoots, seeds, and crops.
Sun Conure
- Scientific name Aratinga solstitialis
- Habitat Arid savanna woodland in northeastern South America, Venezuela, and Brazil
- Life 20 ~ 30years
- Size 25 ~ 30 cm / 100 ~ 120g
This bird is named the "Sun Conure" because of its yellow and scarlet feathers, reminiscent of the sun.
During their juvenile phase, they sport green feathers, but as they mature, their feathers gradually turn yellow.
In the wild, they live in groups of 15 to 30 and nest in the holes of palm trees for reproduction.
Despite their small size, they have a loud call that can reach 120 decibels.
Nevertheless, they are a popular species due to their vibrant colors and affectionate nature towards humans.
Their playful and endearing personalities make them a favorite among bird enthusiasts.
Nanday conure
- Scientific name Aratinga nenday
- Habitat Arid savanna woodland in southwestern Brazil, central Paraguay, and northern Argentina
- Life 20 ~ 30years
- Size 35 ~ 40 cm / 130 ~ 160g
While it's not yet well known in Korea, this parakeet species has gained significant popularity as a pet, especially in the U.S. Its other name is "Black-Hooded Parakeet "for its black face appears as if wearing a black hood.
As it matures, the blue feathers on its chest become more pronounced. Additionally, the bird has red feathers around its ankles, which, at a glance, look like little boots.
Another unique feature is their high-decibel calls, which they use to communicate and locate each other.
Keel-billed toucan
- Scientific name Ramphastos sulfuratus
- Habitat Tropical forests from southern Mexico to Colombia
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 42 ~ 55cm / 380 ~ 500g
This bird is the national bird of Belize, located in Central America.
Among the toucans, which are famous for their vibrant bills, this particular species boasts an exceptionally colorful beak.
The large bill measures about 12-15cm, roughly a third of its body length. While it looks heavy, the bill is actually relatively light.
It's made up of keratin, the same protein found in human nails, covering a hollow bone structure.
In the wild, these birds are very sociable.
It's rare to see one alone they typically live in small groups of about 6 to 12 members.
Violet turaco
- Scientific name Tauraco violaceus
- Habitat Tropical forests in West Africa
- Life 8 ~ 10years
- Size 43 ~ 48cm / 320 ~ 360g
This bird has a predominantly violet hue, which inspired its name.
Its flight feathers present a contrasting reddish color to its body when in flight.
In some languages, the term "turaco" is often referred to as "fan-headed" due to the crest or plume on its head resembling an unfolded fan.
The same applies to the Violet Turaco, although its crest isn't particularly long or tall but relatively short.
Red crested turaco
- Scientific name Tauraco erythrolophus
- Habitat Africa's Angola subtropical rainforest, humid lowland
- Life 8 ~ 10years
- Size 45 ~ 50cm / 210 ~ 320g
This national bird of Angola can be found only in the tropical forest of Angola.
While the vibrant colors of most bird feathers result from light reflection, turacos are unique in that their feathers contain actual pigments.
They possess a red pigment known as 'turacin' and the green pigment 'turacoverdin,' enabling them to display these colors inherently.
Among them, the Red-crested Turaco is a representative species that prominently features a mix of both red and green hues.
White crested turaco
- Scientific name Tauraco leucolophus
- Habitat Central African lowland forests, savannahs
- Life 8 ~ 10years
- Size 35 ~ 38cm / 140 ~ 230g
The White-crested Turaco has a close relationship with the Red-crested Turaco.
As their original habitats faced continuous deforestation and increased savannah areas due to climate change, the White-crested Turaco adapted to the changing environment, maintaining a broad distribution.
In contrast, the Red-crested Turaco struggled to adapt, restricting its habitat to areas around Angola.
Surprisingly, Turacos are not good at flying.
Rather than flying around, they prefer to hop between tree branches and only descend to the ground primarily for drinking water or bathing.
Schalow's turaco
- Scientific name Tauraco schalowi
- Habitat Forest on the banks of the highland river in nearby areas centered on Zambia
- Life 8 ~ 10years
- Size 38 ~ 43cm / 250 ~ 270g
Among the turacos, this species is relatively light, with a body length of approximately 40cm, attributed mainly to its long crest and tail feathers.
This crest is among the longest compared to other turaco species.
The bird is named in honor of the German ornithologist, Herman Schalow.
Turacos, which primarily live in trees, have a flexible back toe that can move sideways.
This flexibility is said to assist them in gripping and climbing trees effectively.
Crimson rumped toucanet
- Scientific name Aulacorhynchus haematopygus
- Habitat Wet Andean forests of Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 40 ~45cm / 200 ~ 230g
This species is named for the crimson feathers on its rump, and it has a vertical white line by its beak.
Birds in the toucan family, including toucanets, are categorized by size: toucan, aracari, and then toucanet.
Like woodpeckers and parrots, they have zygodactyl feet - two toes facing forward and two facing backward.
This foot configuration provides strength and stability when navigating dense branches, moving up and down tree trunks, or hanging in and out of tree hollows.
Golden collared toucanet
- Scientific name Selenidera reinwardtii
- Habitat The Amazon rainforest in western South America
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 33 ~ 35cm / 130 ~ 200g
This species has two subspecies, which, while sharing the same body color, differ in beak color and pattern.
Uniquely among the toucan family, this bird exhibits sexual dimorphism in its coloring: males are predominantly black, while females are mostly brown.
One can observe serrated edges on their beak, useful in grasping and peeling their prey.
Ivory billed aracari
- Scientific name Pteroglossus azara
- Habitat Brazil, Bolivia to Venezuela subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 35 ~ 45cm / 120 ~ 200g
This bird is on the smaller side among the aracaris and stands out among the toucan family with its bright ivory-colored beak.
While the male and female look very similar, the male typically has a black head, while the female's is bronze.
With careful observation, they can be easily distinguished.
They usually operate in pairs or small groups of up to six and tend to stay in one place without migrating seasonally.
Black naped fruit dove
- Scientific name Ptilinopus melanospilus
- Habitat Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Woodlands
- Life 5 ~ 10years
- Size 21 ~ 24cm / 90 ~ 120g
This bird exhibits sexual dimorphism, where the male and female look different.
The males have a striking appearance with a white face, black nape, and a rump colored in shades of gold and pink.
In contrast, the females and the juveniles have a more monotonous green plumage.
Instead of raising their heads to swallow water like many birds, they primarily drink by sucking up dew from trees or leaves using a pumping action.
Beautiful fruit dove
- Scientific name Ptilinopus pulchellus
- Habitat New Guinea and nearby island woodlands
- Life 5 ~ 10years
- Size 20 ~ 24cm / 70 ~ 80g
The fruit pigeon, with its vibrant colors resembling a parrot, feeds primarily on fruits, as its name suggests.
Its main habitats are the forests of Southeast Asia and Oceania, with over 50 species, including those that have become extinct.
When young, their foreheads are not red, and their gray front chest is mottled with green.
Balimynah
- Scientific name Leucopsar rothschildi
- Habitat Woodlands on Bali Island, Indonesia
- Life 8 ~ 15years
- Size 20 ~ 25cm / 70 ~ 115g
It is an endangered species with less than 100 individuals in the wild and is the emblematic animal of Bali Island in Indonesia. It has a distinctively long head crest similar to the Cockatoo (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo).
Due to this head crest, it is called the 'Bun-tailed White Cockatoo' in Korea, suggesting it looks like it has a bun on its head.
It is closely related to the well-known Cockatoo species.
Blue bellied roller
- Scientific name Coracias cyanogaster
- Habitat Savannahs in Western and Central Africa, forest edges, and swamps
- Life 5 ~ 10years
- Size 28 ~ 30cm / 110 ~ 150g
This bird has two unusually long and distinctive tail feathers resembling decorative appendages.
Its wings are robust, yet its legs are short and weak, rendering it almost incapable of walking or running.
Thanks to its sturdy wings, it has a unique hunting method.
It dives rapidly from the air, much like birds of prey, to catch its prey.
Occasionally, it perches on open branches with a clear view and waits for its target to pass by before striking.
Temminck's trapopan
- Scientific name Tragopan temminckii
- Habitat Shrubby forests of northern India, Vietnam, Myanmar, and southern China
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 60 ~ 64cm / 0.9 ~ 1.4kg
The male of this species has a distinctive large blue wattle on its neck.
This wattle usually stays shrunk, but when courting a female, it extends downwards along with the horn on its head.
When fully extended, the wattle can reach the ground even when the bird stands upright.
Although this bird is not adept at flying, it primarily walks around.
However, when nesting, it tends to prefer higher places, likely to avoid predators, and thus often chooses spots in trees.
Himalayan monal
- Scientific name Lophophorus impejanus
- Habitat High forests of eastern Afghanistan to western China's Himalayas
- Life 10 ~ 12years
- Size 60 ~ 70cm / 2.0 ~ 2.3kg
Designated as the national bird of Nepal, the pheasant, also known as the Silky Pheasant, boasts vibrant and striking colors.
Its iridescent feathers are said to reflect nine different colors when hit by light, which has earned it the nickname "nine-colored-bird" Like many other pheasants, the males display extraordinarily brilliant plumage, while the females wear a more muted, earthy brown.
They inhabit altitudes ranging from 2,100 to 4,500 meters (6,900 to 14,800 feet).
Gray peacock-pheasant
- Scientific name Polyplectron bicalcaratum
- Habitat Tropical forests of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 70 ~ 75cm / 900 ~ 950g
Though it can spread its tail feathers like a peacock and is named "small peacock," it is closer in relation to pheasants than peacocks.
Like other pheasants, the male is more colorful than the female.
During the breeding season from March to June, the male spreads its tail wide to woo and entice the female.
Vulturine guineafowl
- Scientific name Acryllium vulturinum
- Habitat Forests, grasslands, etc. in northeastern Africa
- Life 10 ~ 15years
- Size 60 ~72cm / 1.0 ~ 1.6kg
Among the six species of hornbills (also known as "Guinea Fowl"), this species is the largest, with a much longer neck, legs, and tail.
While all hornbills lack feathers on their heads, this species has an exceptionally long neck and head, resembling an eagle.
Hence, the name includes "Vultur(e)" Living in Africa, where there is a distinct dry and wet season, it can survive long without drinking water and obtaining the necessary moisture from foods.
African penguin
- Binomial name African penguin
- Scientific name Spheniscus demersus
- Habitat At Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, South Africa
- Lifespan 20 ~ 30years
- Size Average 60cm / About 3.3kg
The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters.
The body's upper parts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts, which are spotted and marked with a black band.
Adults weigh an average of 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb) and are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall.
Scarlet ibis
- Scientific name Eudocimus ruber
- Habitat Wetlands of the West Indies and South America
- Life 20 ~ 30years
- Size 55 ~ 75 cm / 0.9 ~ 1.3kg
The Scarlet Ibis is the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago and can be seen on the nation's coat of arms.
It is the only species of ibis with red feathers.
During their juvenile stage, they have greyish feathers, but they develop red feathers as they mature.
This red coloration is due to the 'carotenoid' compounds found in their diet.
Using its long and curved beak, it feeds on crustaceans, insects, and fruits found in mudflats and shallow waters.
Vanellus miles
- Scientific name Vanellus miles
- Habitat Wetlands in Australia and New Zealand
- Life 10 ~ 15years
- Size 33-38 cm / 1.9-3 kg in the north, 2.9-4.1 kg in the south
It is the largest species of plover, with two subspecies living in northern and southern Australia.
It mainly inhabits wetlands and beaches, but is often found in dry or urban areas due to its adaptability.
The ends of both wings have yellow bumps, which are intended to show off and do not have any other functions.
When a predator approaches a nest, it pretends to hurt its wings or legs and acts as a costume to move them away from the nest.
Call duck
- Scientific name Anas platyrhyncos
- Habitat It is a cultivated breed thus not found in the wild.
- Life 8 ~ 10years
- Size 30 ~ 35 cm / 0.5 ~ 0.7kg
This bird is a domesticated duck breed with the smallest body size among ducks and a characteristic loud and high-pitched quack.
In the past, sound was used to lure other wild ducks for hunting, but nowadays, the method has been replaced by decoy ducks and recording devices.
While the most commonly known color is white, they come in over 20 colors.
One can distinguish between males and females by their beaks females have a black spot on their beaks, while males do not.
Due to their cute appearance, they are gaining much attention as pets.
Black swan
- Scientific name Cygnusatratus
- Habitat Australian lakes and coasts
- Life 30 ~ 40years
- Size 110 ~ 140 cm / 4 ~ 7kg
It is a unique species of Australia and a wild bird, characterized by black feathers, a red beak, and white outer wing feathers.
It is also referred to as the "Black Swan." In the past, because of its black feathers, it was dubbed as the "devil's messenger" and was extensively hunted.
It has 25 neck vertebrae, giving it the longest neck among anseriformes.
Usually, it keeps its neck curved in an 'S' shape, but when flying, it stretches out its neck straight.
Most of these birds are monogamous, spending their entire lives with a single partner.
Roseate spoonbill
- Scientific name Platalea ajaja
- Habitat Coast of South and Central America, etc
- Life 10 ~ 15years
- Size 76 ~ 102 cm / 1.2 ~ 1.8kg
The bird is named "저어새" due to its unique habit of searching for food by sweeping its spoon-shaped bill side to side in shallow water.
In English, its name is "spoonbill," which combines "spoon" (indicating the shape of its bill) and "bill" (meaning beak).
The bill assists in filtering mud from the water, and its nostrils are located at the base (the starting part of the beak) rather than the tip, allowing the bird to breathe while searching for food.
The red feathers result from their diet's 'carotenoid' component.
Depending on the diet, age, whether they have reproduced, and location, the colors can range from a light pink to a bright magenta.
Eurasian eagle-owl
- Scientific name Bubo bubo
- Habitat Rock mountains and cliffs throughout East Asia and Europe, including Korea and China
- Life 15 ~ 20years
- Size 66 ~ 70 cm / 2.7 ~ 4kg
The Eurasian eagle-owl, often called the "king of the night," is the largest species among the owl family.
When people commonly mention the eagle owl, they typically refer to the Eurasian eagle owl.
There are approximately 20 different species of eagle-owls found throughout the world.
They possess robust legs and sharp talons.
Their feathers are fringed with fine filaments, and the edges of their wing feathers have tooth-like structures, allowing them to fly almost silently by absorbing noise.
As a result, their prey usually only realizes the owl is approaching once it's too late.
Furthermore, owls habitually hoard food, and historically, they have been viewed as symbols of wealth and prosperity.
Golden eagle
- Scientific name Aquila chrysaetos
- Habitat Eurasia, northern Africa, North America, etc
- Life 20 ~ 30years
- Size 81 ~ 89 cm / 4.4 ~ 6kg
Overall, it is dark brown with a golden hue from the crown to the back of the neck, which is why it's called the "golden eagle" in English.
In South Korea, it is designated as Natural Monument No. 243-2 and is now almost extinct.
The golden eagle has a talon grip strength that exceeds 750 psi, which is over 15 times the average grip strength of an adult male (43-44 psi).
This grip strength is even more powerful than the bite force of lions or tigers.
Moreover, it can achieve a dive speed between 240-320 km/h.
In Mongolia, they are trained for hunting foxes and other game purpose.
Due to their high intelligence, in countries like France and the Netherlands, they are utilized to capture illegal drones.
Harris hawk
- Scientific name Parabuteo unicinctus
- Habitat Open and desert areas in the southwestern United States, northwestern Mexico, Chile, etc
- Life 10 ~ 15years
- Size 46 ~ 56 cm / 750 ~ 900g
This bird resides in the cactus-abundant deserts of the United States and can often be found perched on cacti.
Unlike most raptors, which typically hunt alone, these birds usually hunt cooperatively.
One bird will drive small mammals like rabbits hiding between the cacti out into the open by running on the ground while the rest of the flock swoops down to capture them.
The Harris's hawk is known for its intelligence and mild temperament, making it easy to train and a popular choice for falconry.
Interestingly, the leaders of these bird groups are typically females.