The ibises of two species (African sacred and Scarlet) appeared in the animal collection of Feldman Ecopark for the first time. Twelve individuals of these birds (three couples of each species) were brought to the Centre for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” from a private zoo. Animals have already undergone neccesary veterinary examination, a quarantine, and can currently be seen in our exposition enclosures.
“We lodged sacred ibises together with rosy flamingos and other waterfowl as they are characterized by the establishment of mixed colonies under natural conditions. Red ibises have occupied separate enclosure — the head of the bird department in Feldman Ecopark Volodymyr Perekhodovych told. — The diet of these surprising birds is highly diverse. It comprises both vegetable and animal feed. We give them the special balanced mix including grain, bran, different vegetables, fruit as well as meat, fish, shrimps”.
It should be noted that ibises refer to ciconiiformes and have much in common with their relatives in behavior and body structure. The distinguishing peculiarity is a thin curved beak. Red, or scarlet ibises possess the most elegant plumage. The flaring color is caused by feeding with small crustaceans whose armor is rich with carotene. The representative of this bright species is represented on the coat of arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago – the island state in the Caribbean Sea.
Since ancient times, the sacred ibis lives in the Old World. Ancient Egyptians considered it the symbol of Tot (the God of wisdom and order) who was depicted in a human body with the bird’s head decorated with a distinctive beak. Hence the name of a species. It was believed that sacred ibises predict Neil’s flood. Their bodies after death were embalmed and buried near Pharaohs.
It should be reminded that at the beginning of June couple of storks living on the Swan lake Feldman Ecopark brought offspring. Last autumn residents of the Kharkiv oblast rescued these birds and brought them to “The Good Home”. It should be also reminded that the animal collection of Feldman Ecopark includes more than 1,600 birds. Among them are exotic, rare and the red-listed ones.
