Offspring of a rarely seen bird species
Chemnitz Zoo: Yellow-rumped cassowaries raise a young animal
Since the beginning of June, there have been offspring in the Chemnitz zoo's pheasantry. A young yellow-rumped cassowary has hatched, which has now fledged and left the nest. The species, which belongs to the Stärlingen family, is only shown in very few zoos in Europe and only in three institutions in Germany. It has been kept at the zoo since 2021 and has now successfully produced offspring for the first time.
The South American birds are not only striking because of their plumage colouring, but above all because of their wide range of tones. They can often be heard from afar in the zoo. However, it is difficult to tell the sexes apart by their plumage colouring. However, the males are larger than the females.
As very sociable animals, they live in colonies that are particularly active at dusk. Their breeding biology is particularly interesting, as yellow-rumped caciques often build their nests near wasp nests. It is assumed that this is how they protect themselves from nest predators and parasites. The females weave the hanging hive nests from grasses, in which they incubate two to three eggs. The males play only a small part in the breeding and rearing of the young.
Only the higher-ranking males reproduce. The highest ranks are occupied by the strongest animals. However, guarding the females is so energy-intensive that the males lose a lot of weight. Some also lose their rank in the process. The lower-ranking males are pushed to the edge of the colony and act as guards for the entire colony.
Opening hours in summer
Zoo: 9 am to 7 pm, last admission 6 pm
Game enclosure: 8 am to 6 pm, last admission 5 pm