Page 20 - Gateways_FALL 2024

New Aviary

The rescued sandhill crane
in the Aviary is joined by four
Greater adult greater prairie chickens
from Toledo Zoo. More birds are
on the way; several dozen eggs
Prairie Chicken The Zoo's animal care specialists
have been developing in incubators.

are hand-rearing chicks that
Tympanuchus cupido successfully hatch. Once the chicks
are 4 to 6 months old, they will
join the adults in the Aviary.

The greater prairie chicken is a species of grouse and a relative of At dawn during the spring, male birds congregate in open,
the domestic chicken. An adult is the size of a medium to large short-grass areas called “booming grounds” where they attempt
chicken—with a body about 17 inches long and weight between to outdo each other to attract the attention of females. Females
1.5 and 2 pounds. Feathers patterned in alternating bars of white nest near the booming grounds, hidden in grass and vegetation
and brown help them camouflage in their grassland habitat. that provide overhead cover. Chicks grow fast and become
Adult males also have bright orange feathers over their eyes, independent from their mother after six weeks.
“orange eyebrows,” and inflatable orange air sacks on the sides Prairie chickens forage for seeds, grains, and insects in the
of their throat. grass. They require large home ranges with specific characteristics—
Males are famous for their dramatic courtship behavior, or tall grass and vegetation to provide cover from predators, with
“mating dance.” They raise the feathers on their neck, inflate the short-grass booming grounds. They can fly, but do not migrate.
air sacks, spread their tail, droop their wings, stomp their feet,
and make a loud, whooping vocalization.

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GATEWAYS | NEW AVIARY