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Birds of Prey
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Andean condor
©WCS/J.Maher
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One look at these birds and you’ll understand how they got their name. Hooked beaks that tear flesh, powerful grasping talons, and keen eyesight combine to give birds of prey, also known as raptors, their hunting prowess.
The various species of owls, eagles, and vultures that live in the Zoo’s outdoor aviaries enjoy a daily diet of mice, rats, and fish. Bird keepers challenge the king vultures and Andean condors to work for their food by serving up rodents wrapped in paper and twine. Watch the birds pick apart these tasty packages as carefully as they would a meal in the wild!
Owl lovers know that if they keep quiet, they may hear the hooting of our resident barred owls, barn owls, and milky eagle owls. Our graceful snowy owls, native to tundras and grasslands in cooler climates, are a treat to behold on wintry days. And eagle-eyed visitors should keep a look out for a real representative of our national symbol, the bald eagle, as well as the stately golden eagle.
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