Taking a trip to the Bronx Zoo is a different experience each time. With changes to exhibits and various events going on, there is always something new to see and do at the Bronx Zoo. This month is bird migration month and the second annual Birdathon is kicking off next weekend, May 9. During this event attendees can accompany professional birders on nature walks to identify Neotropical birds and find out how they are properly cared for in the zoo. As you go on your adventure, there are chances to win prizes by identifying as many birds as you can. You may even have the chance to feed one of these beauties on your expedition!
What: Bronx Zoo Birdathon
When: Saturday, May 9 @ 7:00AM
Where: the Bronx River gate at Bronx Zoo
Buy tickets: http://bronxzoo.com/events/8
In addition to the Birdathon event, the Bronx Zoo is celebrating Bird Migration Month all month long on weekends from May 9 – May 24. Watch as red-shouldered hawks, rose-breasted cockatoos, Amazon parrots, and more soar overhead on the historic Astor Court during the Birds in Flight show. After the show, they’ll be a chance to meet the fearless flyers face-to-face and learn more about their training, habits, and personalities. You should also take some time to chat with Zookeepers at the World of Birds exhibit then head over to the Dancing Crane Plaza to make a birdfeeder to help keep track of wildlife from your own backyard.
Bird Migration month also offers a chance to capture photos for #NYisWild to help complete the first prize level which is a chance to win a trip for two to beautiful Belize! To learn more and participate, visit NYisWild.com and keep an eye out for these ways to be wild:
#29: Bee eater
#32: Owl
#35: Condor
#39: Flamingo
#42: Penguins
#45: Inca Tern
#48: Blue Turaco
Details for Bird Migration month can be found at BronxZoo.com
DIY Birdfeeder Instructions (Courtesy of The Bronx Zoo)
Below are pictures and instructions that will take you through the steps to making your very own DIY birdfeeder:
- Start off with a milk or juice carton that has been rinsed out
- The front of the box will have a door shaped opening. The cut out part will be used for the eyes. (They are blacked out in the sample picture)
- The sides will have a hole in them to place a stick through so the bird has a place to land on. The wings will be cut out and folded up to give it a 3-D effect.
- The back is a square to cut out, but will have a small triangle on the bottom to fold out for the
3-D tail. The blackened part in the image is going to be used for his nose
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Color, paint, or glue colored paper on the carton
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Tape the eyes and nose on. Have a piece of string available to tie through the opening hole in the back so the birdfeeder can be hung from a tree
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Place bird seeds in the bottom for the birds to have a fun and tasty meal!
Love the Bronx Zoo. What a great excuse to make a trip up there.
The bird in the first photo at the top is amazing!