Osiris's StoryHatched: 1998
Osiris is the only Egyptian Vulture to be hatched by the World Bird Sanctuary. She was named after one of the oldest Egyptian gods, who was believed to be the god of life, death, and fertility.
Osiris is a real trooper with a long list of credits. She has appeared at the Milwaukee County Zoo, Grants Farm, Roger Williams Zoo in Rhode Island, the Boston Zoo, WBS Office of Wildlife Learning here in Valley Park, the Busch Gardens show in Virginia as their "Halloween Bird," and most recently, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.
Her trainers tell us that Osiris is VERY SMART, so smart, in fact, that they sometimes have to be very inventive to keep one step ahead of her when teaching a new behavior. They tell us that she is a great flyer, has a good memory, learns quickly, and likes to chew on her leash.
In our educational programs, Osiris demonstrates an amazing behavior developed by Egyptian vultures in the wild. They use tools! Osiris demonstrates this remarkable accomplishment by picking up stones on stage and dropping them on an ostrich egg to crack it. How her species originally developed this behavior is uncertain, but the use of tools by any animal is considered a landmark accomplishment.
During the off season, Osiris resides in the Education Training Center at the World Bird Sanctuary headquarters in Valley Park, MO. Because she does not live in an area normally open to the public and performs at zoo shows during the summer, adoptive parents will need to call 636-861-3225 to schedule a visit with her.
To adopt Osiris, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100 and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: OSIRIS. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!
Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents receive:
- A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
- your personal visit.
- Certificate of Adoption
- Color photo of the bird you've adopted
- Sponsorship Card
- One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
- Life History and Natural History of the bird
- 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
- Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
- Discounts on WBS Special Events
- WBS Decal
Natural History
Egyptian vulture
Neophron percnopterus
Description smallest of all the European vultures; adult plumage white with some black feathers in the wings and tail; juvenile plumage is dark brown, gradually turning white by age five; beak long and slender with a blackish tip; facial skin yellow, turning orange during breeding and nesting seasons
Sex: plumage identical; female somewhat larger than male
Age: 37 years
Length: 33”
Wingspan: 5.5’
Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Habitat: plains, wetlands, uplands and mountains
Status: Endangered; Indian population has crashed due to use of NSAID Diclofenac in veterinary medicine, which enters the food chain of the species
Range: Southern Europe, North Africa, Western and Southern Asia
Behavior: Breeding display consists of flying high into the air and diving down, grasping claws on the way: pairs mate for life; nesting sites are rocky ledges and cliffs, preferring well sheltered areas with many cavities as they are colonial nesters; nest, consists of branches and sticks lined with garbage and food remains; 1-3 white eggs with dark brown spots laid between March and April; incubation is 42 days; young fledge at around 90 days
Diet: mainly carrion; also small mammals, insects, rotting vegetation and eggs; only vulture species to use tools; has learned to break ostrich eggs by picking up and flinging rocks and stones in the egg’s general direction until the egg cracks, then the bird enlarges the hole with it’s beak to get to the contents
Vocalization: generally silent
√ First recorded bird ever to be protected by law; one Pharoah felt so strongly that their job as a natural cleaner was so important he declared killing the bird was punishable by death. The vulture was always seen on the front of the pharaoh’s crown.
Adopt A Bird profiles are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.
No comments:
Post a Comment