Exploring BirdWorld: Highlights from a Day of Bird Watching

Just back from great day at BirdWorld @BirdworldSurrey in Farnham, Surrey, where I took about 3000 photos. Highlights include seriema, Striated caracara, kookaburra, and numerous turaco (White-crested shown here). Also... #birds pic.twitter.com/YLFoEbjm0O

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

BirdWorld is really strong on #pheasants, one of my favourite bird groups. Among others, they have peacock-pheasants, Great argus, Himalayan monal and tragopans. More photos to come :) #birds pic.twitter.com/7d4VxpbfZO

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

I've gone through my photos and a thread follows. We begin with BirdWorld's Greater flamingos. #Flamingos are often out in VERY bright conditions, and can contract their pupils to tiny points. The pupils are often not spherical. Feet: flamingo claws are blunt and hoof-like... pic.twitter.com/tdYUhn0H6G

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

#BirdWorld is great on #pigeons. Those shown here are an Australian Wonga pigeon, Sulawesi ground pigeon, the fabled Pink pigeon of Mauritius (surprisingly gnarly), and the migratory European turtle dove (named for its 'turr-turr' call)... #birds #birdphotography pic.twitter.com/eBoxx0nwTy

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

There are a few raptors at #BirdWorld. I'm fond of the amazing Striated #caracaras (reminder to finish my review of @JonathanMeiburg's A Most Remarkable Creature, a great book devoted to caracara discoveries); there are also Turkey vultures, a species not often seen in the UK... pic.twitter.com/MQsDTCxpoI

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

#BirdWorld is strong on #hornbills, with numerous species, some breeding. The giant Rhinoceros hornbills have always been indoors when I've visited but the Southern ground hornbills are always showing. They're among my favourite #birds, I love them... pic.twitter.com/14Up2jNMz5

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

#DUCKS! Holy wow, they have Spectacled eider. Here are photos of both a male and female. Common eider are on show as well. I'm a huge seaduck fan but have still only seen a handful of species... #BirdWorld pic.twitter.com/HP1IFJsBZX

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

I mentioned earlier that #BirdWorld is good on #pheasants. Several Reeve's pheasant are on show, and both Chrysolophus species (Golden and Lady Amherst's), plus Temminck's and Satyr tragopan, plus Great argus... and more #birds #galliforms pic.twitter.com/JSgI5KwtHe

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

Oh yeah - both Palawan and Grey peacock-pheasant are there, and I got great views of both. The Palawan was calling and displaying, and the Grey did the tail-swaying behaviour they're noted for. Amazing group of #birds... #galliforms #ornithology pic.twitter.com/U6YoUC9BjZ

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

I haven't mentioned #passerines so far, but #BirdWorld has many, including Australian magpie, Azure-winged magpie (I think the Spanish one), numerous #starlings (Purple glossy starling and Splendid starling shown here), and White-crested laughing thrush... #birds #birdphotography pic.twitter.com/BvFfIWQgAo

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

#BirdWorld has a huge collection of #parrots, easily one of the most important in the country. Here are a few shots of a Greater sulphur-crested cockatoo that was moving stones and leaves in and out of a pool. It was close friends with a Yellow-naped amazon :) #birds pic.twitter.com/fxGtJHBof1

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

Finally... there are also cranes, storks, pelicans, penguins. And #ratites. Here's a male Greater rhea who didn't seem that happy to see us. I've watched (captive) rhea a lot and have never seen one do this before... #BirdWorld #birds pic.twitter.com/3DNWs34ivO

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023

And there are two emus as well.... pic.twitter.com/BvgCBY02qV

— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 10, 2023