Whooping cranes are graceful, expressive and curious creatures. Get acquainted with these big, beautiful birds in this Q+A with Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute keeper Chris Crowe.
small rodents, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, fish
Known for its eye-popping red plumage, the scarlet ibis is a medium-sized wading bird often found near freshwater and brackish water marshes. Flocks of these birds forage in shallow water and roost atop lofty trees.
on a diet of aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish
A familiar sparrow that can be found throughout North America, song sparrows are often seen singing cheerfully while perched on a tree branch or telephone wire. The species is present in most of their range year-round, although northern populations migrate to the southern United States and Mexico for the winter.
shallow water for small crustaceans, and sometimes fish
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. It has a long, hairless, prehensile tail, a robust body and short legs with sharp claws.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the Virginia opossum eats fish
Allen’s swamp monkeys are small, stout animals with brown and gray-green fur and long tails. These highly social primates live in central Africa’s swamp forests where they spend most of their time in trees.
omnivores and eat a variety of fruits, seeds, insects, fish
Next week, 4-year-old male Andean bear Quito will make his debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Get the scoop on the new guy in town from animal keeper Sara Colandrea and assistant curator Leigh Pitsko.
bears; we fill them with pieces of fruit, vegetables, fish
The eyelash palm pitviper, named for the bristly scales above its eyes, is one of the smallest snakes in Central America. It has a triangular head and can be bright yellow, green or pink in color.
habitat, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, other snakes and fish
Ever wonder what zoo animals eat and why? Learn the science behind zoo diets.
for the Zoo’s birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish
Shy and secretive birds, clapper rails spend much of their time foraging and probing for small insects and crustaceans in shallow marshes and wetlands. These birds are known to hide among reeds and tall grasses, making them challenging to observe in the wild.
advantage of whatever plant materials, crabs, eggs, and fish
The American avocet is a large, migratory shorebird that forages for food in wetlands, marshes, tidal flats and shallow lakes and ponds. They have long bluish legs, a long neck and a thin, long, upturned black bill.
They also eat small fish and seeds from aquatic plants
