Superb starlings, ducks and flamingos

This is my final blog post on 30 October 2017 in Blijdorp zoo in Rotterdam. After the giraffes and the European starlings on the roof of their building, we continued to giraffe relatives: okapis, sharing their compound with superb starlings like this one.

After walking through the tunnel under the railway, we came to the part of the zoo dedicated to the Americas.

In a South American aviary were white-faced whistling ducks; like this one.

In this ‘American’ part are two big buildings. One, the Oceanium, has many terrariums and aquariums; including a very big one where sharks, rays and sea turtles can swim above your head. Also, king penguins and gentoo penguins in a special cold hall.

The other big building is called Amazonica. It houses South American butterflies. And South American fish, like big arapaimas.

We went back through the tunnel, towards the exit, which is also the entrance where we had seen the flamingos in the morning. They were still there; though many of them had now gone to a building for food. While a black-headed gull asked itself if there would be food for it as well.

Gradually, flamingos came back to the water to drink.

And to clean their feathers.

And to talk to each other.

And to have one more drink, as the setting sun coloured the water, contrasting beautifully with the birds.

And, finally, to look around and say goodbye.

Related articles

• Save Caribbean sharks
• Antarctic gentoo penguins, video
• Birds of Antarctica and Argentina
• Beef consumers’ role in causing deforestation in South America (commentary)
• Krill-gotten gains to fund Antarctic research
• Searching for the perfect pebble …. Male Penguins!!