New bird species at Chemnitz Zoo
Vivarium reopened after maintenance work
Since the beginning of December, the zoo has been keeping a pair of Sumbawa thrushes in the pheasantry.
The Sumbawa thrush - also known as the Flores ground thrush - is a species of bird from the thrush family found in South-East Asia. Due to its colouring, it is also known as the "chestnut-backed thrush". The predominantly reddish-brown plumage colouring camouflages the animals, especially on the ground, where they mainly search for food. Sumbawa thrushes mainly feed on animals. However, they also eat berries, the seeds of which are often excreted undigested. In this way, the species contributes to the spread of some plant species.
The Sumbawa thrush's habitat - East Timor and smaller islands in Indonesia - is becoming increasingly fragmented. In addition, populations are declining significantly due to live captures, as the species is a popular pet bird due to its song.
On Lombok and Sumbawa, two Indonesian islands, the Sumbawa thrush is probably already extinct. As there is no precise data on population decline, the species is categorised as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - with an increasing trend. This makes the successful and coordinated breeding of such endangered species, which has already been achieved in some zoological institutions in Europe, all the more important. Chemnitz Zoo hopes to be able to contribute to the conservation of the species in the future.
Alongside the vivarium, the bird population is one of the special features of Chemnitz Zoo. Most of the more than 70 different bird species are on display in the pheasantry and the tropical house.
Vivarium reopened
After the vivarium at Chemnitz Zoo was closed this week for maintenance work, the house can be visited again during regular opening hours from Saturday, 20 January.
Opening hours of the zoo and wildlife centre (in January and February)
9 am to 4 pm, last admission 3 pm