American Crow Latin Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Photo courtesy of kopperheadpix, Akron Zoo Corvus is Latin for “raven” and brachyrhynchos breaks down to “short beak”. Corvids are a widespread family of passerines and include birds such as crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. Overview Crows have the potential to be very impactful ambassador birds. People see (and hear!)
Read moreBudgie (Budgerigar) Latin Name: Melopsittacus undulatus Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Overview Budgies are a charismatic ambassador species due to their outgoing nature. They can be kept as ambassadors either in large walk-through aviaries, where flock size may range in the hundreds, or in a smaller setting as a single bird/pair/small group. Budgies are highly gregarious, and so at least keeping a
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Podargus strigoides Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae Overview Tawny frogmouths are unusual, charismatic birds that will engage the audience at first sight. Though common throughout most of Australia and Tasmania, most American zoo audiences will not be familiar with the frogmouth and will be thirsty for information. Ambassador tawny frogmouths can be trained to sit calmly on hand, and are generally
Read moreCommon Name: Eurasian Collared Dove Latin Name: Streptopelia decaocto Order: Columbiformes Family:Columbidae Overview Originally a wild species found across northern Asia and Europe, the Eurasian collared dove is now kept as a pet in many other parts of the world. It’s call is very similar to the North American mourning dove. The body is of similar size to that species,
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