Tierpark - RaritätenZoo
Zoo Guide and Statistics
by Stefano Capomagi
Article for Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna
On the Humboldt Current
Southamerican Coastal Birds and phytogeographical studies
Southamerican Coastal Birds are one of most representative avian species of shoreline biome and zoos often have a section dedicated to it with several species kept in. Like Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti), for example, is very common in Europe, so many endemic birds and waterfowls-species are ambassadors of Southamerican Coasts in a lot of collections.
In this article I describe the most charismatic species, many aspects about accommodation with some examples of aviaries and phytogeographical studies about Chilean Coasts, characterized by the Humboldt Current for climate conditions and strong floristic endemism.
Mixed aviaries often occur around good zoos so you can see nice “free-contact” solutions for visitors with walkthrough passages and very immersive exhibits, even open-top enclosures are for no-flying species like penguins.
Some interesting examples of different ways for accomodation of Southamerican Coastal Birds around European Zoos are following.
The best that I’ve ever seen for these species is at Zoo Planckendael (Mechelen) in Belgium. A majestic walk-through aviary across a cool habitat reconstruption, observatories and “free-contact” species. Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, Inca terns, Scarlet ibis, Black-faced ibis, Black-necked stilt, Black-necked swan and Magellanic steamerduck are kept in this wonderful exhibit.
From Mechelen’s to the traditional enclosure at Zoo Köln, one of my best zoos in absolute! A small but nice aviary dedicated to Southamerican Coastal Birds with Magellanic steamerduck and Inca tern together. There are not passages and walkin’ solutions, a further paddock for Humboldt penguins is behind.
A very nice solution is the aviary for Inca terns at Zoo Heidelberg near the entrance. The birds are kept in mixed group with several species of ducks and gulls. This exhibit is called “KünstenPanorama” and the landscape remarks the “coastal theme”.
A lot of zoos have an exhibit for Humboldt penguins, open-top solution is the best if there aren’t flying species in. One of bests is at Zoo Praha.
I’ve choiced four of most representative species of Southamerican shorelines.
The first is surely the “iconic” Inca tern (Larosterna inca). It is the most common tern-species in Europe and kept in about 40 collections (only one in Poland). This is near-threated and monitored in a study-book around European zoos , often is displayed in walk-through aviaries.
Visitors love Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) like one a charismatic bird species, so is the most common species of genus Spheniscus in Europe with 150 holdings around. Only 2 collections are in Poland where is preferred African penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Vulnerable in nature, this no-flying bird is targetted by a breeding program for a conservation plan.
Black-faced ibis (Theristicus melanopis) is uncommon species like less than 30 holdings in Europe. Zoos usually have Scarlet ibis like southamerican species, it is often displayed in mixed aviary with Coastal Birds but is more related of rainforests and palustrine regions. The black-faced ibis is mainly found in southern South America, ranging throughout most of southern and central Argentina, Chile and locally in Perù.
The Magellanic steamerduck (Tachyeres pteneres) is surely the most particular species that I’ve choiced. This no-flying bird is endemic of Southamerican shorelines. Adult male is very massive (about 5 Kg) and may be very aggressive in mixed aviaries.
The population of Magellanic steamerduck (Tachyeres pteneres) is very little in Europe with 11 zoo collections while Flying steamerduck (Tachyeres patachonicus) is even rarer with only 4 holdings.
For a detailed habitat reconstruction is ever nice focus on phytogeographical studies. I’ve collected some contents by “The Phytogeography and Ecology of the Coastal Atacama and Peruvian Deserts” from Chilean territories, a perfect example for these species.
Several broad floristic descriptions about the coastal Chilean Atacama have been published by R.A.Philippi in 1860. These territories are characterized of great endemism and a peculiar climate. Following informations about Southamerican Coastal biome are by The Phytogeography and Ecology of the Coastal Atacama and Peruvian Deserts (Authors : P. W. Rundel, M. O. Dillon, B. Palma, H. A. Mooney, S. L. Gulmon, and J. R. Ehleringer).
The Humboldt Current is the most environmental event in the western coastal from Perù to Chile. Atmosferic conditions influenced by anticyclone result very particular with nearly devoid of rain, the development of plant communities termed “lomas” formations in Atacama Desert, an incredible floristic assemblages associated with climate. Endemism often occurs in flora of these territories. We analyze the range from Antofagasta to La Serena in Chile for our studies of this biome.
South of Antofagasta the coastal range rise to an average elevation of 1300 m, but the area around Paposo the Sierra Vicuna Mackenna reaches 3000 m.
Along the coast north of La Serena precipitation is sufficient to support relatively high vegetation coverage in a community with representatives from the coastal matorral of central Chile (Rundel 1981), Trichocereus coquimbanus (Mol.) Br. & R. , Oxalis gigantea and several species of genus Nolana are frequently encountered.
The coastal strand and dune formations of the littoral belt from the Rio Copiapo to Chanaral possess many of the same species found in the interior with additional characteristic vegetation.
The coastal region between Chanaral and Antofagasta is the center of pronounced endemism with a large number of species restricted to the area or with distributions ranging only slightly to the north or south. The flora of this region was the focus of R. A. Philippi's first collecting efforts in Chile (1853-54}, culminating in the Florula Atacamensis (1860).
List of Flora Species
Alstroemeria spp., Bahia ambrosioides, Dinemandra ericoides, Ephedra andina, Ephedra breana, Eulychnia acida, Euphorbia lactiflua, Gypothamnium pinifolium, Heliotropium pycnophyllum, Heliotropium linearifolium, Heliotropium stenophyllum, Leontochir ovallei, Leucocoryne spp., Lithraea caustica, Lobelia polyphylla, Myrcianthes coquimbensis, Nolana aplocaryoides, Nolana carnosa, Nolana coelestis, Nolana crassulifolia, Nolana divaricata, Nolana sedifolia, Ophryosporus triangularis, Oxalis gigantea, Puya chilensis, Rhodophiala spp., Senna cumingii, Skytanthus acutus, Tecophilaea spp., Tetragonia maritima, Tiquilia litoralis, Trichocereus coquimbanus
Regards to Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna and Ptaki hobby’s readers. I hope you appreciate my articles on the magazine and you can see these extraordinary species as soon… I’m already working to the new article for the next edition… It is always a pleasure for me.
Alstroemeria spp.
Bahia ambrosioides
Dinemandra ericoides
Ephedra andina
Ephedra breana
Eulychnia acida
Euphorbia lactiflua
Gypothamnium pinifolium
Article for Polska Federacja Ornitologiczna
by Stefano Capomagi
You can find it in polish
on the magazine "Ptaki hobby"
