I have a wildlife zoo-Chapter 606 - 605: The Crested Ibis Eats Loaches

"Wow, what kind of fairy-tale romance is this!"

Tang Xiaoxin couldn't help but yearn. If she could also find a like-minded partner in the future, have a relationship that never ends, and grow old together, that would be such a beautiful thing.

But in today's society, it seems a bit unrealistic to have such thoughts, with so many people divorcing every day over trivial matters.

Why does it seem so natural for gibbons to stay with one partner for life?

Truly amazing animals.

She called out, "Hey Keke, snap a picture of me!"

Standing next to the wooden sculpture of the matching gibbons, she made a heart shape with her hands, then also took a picture of Qian Keke.

After visiting the gibbons, Qian Keke, full of excitement, suggested, "Shall we go to the wolf exhibit to see? At this time, we might be able to hear their morning chorus! It's been so long, I wonder what the wolf cubs look like now."

Tang Xiaoxin looked at the signpost at the intersection and said, "Up next is Crane Pavilion! Let's go check out the red-crowned cranes first!"

Recently, Linhai Zoo's red-crowned cranes flew into the tiger exhibit and were filmed by visitors.

The cranes, with their ethereal quality, were seen doing "White Crane Spreads Its Wings," fighting against two imposing tigers, and even chasing after them. Such an interesting video quickly spread online, and Mother Tang even showed it to Tang Xiaoxin.

She was quite curious about the martial arts-skilled red-crowned cranes.

Qian Keke said, "But Charcoal and the others usually sing together in the early morning. If we're late, we won't see them. Let's go see them first and then swing back, it's not too late!"

Tang Xiaoxin was somewhat conflicted. "But running there and back again is such a hassle!"

When the zoo had fewer animals, you didn't have to think about anything and could just follow the path to see everything.

Now that there are more animals, you have to think about the route of your visit, which is a sort of happy problem.

The large signboard at the entrance of Linhai Zoo now indicates the approximate time it takes to visit each themed area and even recommends several visiting routes.

For example, panda exhibit + Predator Gallery (lions, tigers) + Large Animal Area (elephants, giraffes, hippos). If you come only once a year, of course, you would want to see these most popular star animals.

If children prefer cute, furry animals, they can visit the red panda exhibit + Mixed Dwelling Area (fox, sika deer) + Plateau Area (prairie dogs, Pallas's cats), and the Little Farm (alpacas, rabbits, ducks), where the animals in the Little Farm can also be fed.

If you like birds, of course, it's the tropical rainforest aviary + Crane Pavilion + Waterfowl Lake + Flamingo Lake, which promises a satisfying stroll.

Of course, if you don't mind the trouble, you can visit several times over a few days or even book a room at a hot spring resort, wake up every morning to the pleasant sounds of insects and birds, take leisurely walks through the zoo, observe animals, enjoy good food, and come back to soak in the hot springs to relieve stress in the evening.

Qian Keke, for one, was brimming with energy and wasn't afraid of getting tired at all.

The two Lolitas discussed it and ultimately decided to visit Crane Pavilion first!

An ancient corridor twisted and turned inward, green grass was lush along the way, and the trees were verdantly thriving.

The clear stream murmured as it flowed over the green-mossed stones, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere that was refreshing to the spirit.

Occasionally, you could see bushy-tailed squirrels nimbly climbing up trees, hugging the branches before swiftly vanishing, and red-billed blue magpies with their beautiful red beaks and blue feathers hopping and flying around in groups among the treetops.

All were wild, attracted by the zoo's natural and beautiful environment, settling down without any hesitation. Fang Ye, of course, welcomed them more than ever.

Turning around a bend, a lawn appeared ahead, and beyond the lawn was a shoal!

Two white birds with red cheeks were pacing on the shoal, striding on their long red legs, heads low as if searching for food.

Although their beaks were sharp and long, resembling those of red-crowned cranes, they were somewhat curved and not as straight.

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The feathers on their backs were a faint leaden grey, appearing a bit dirty; behind their heads lay ribbon-like crests, resembling a string of twist braids scattered behind their heads.

Noticing they were slightly cautious, they looked up for a moment, but seeing some distance still remained, they lowered their heads to forage again.

Tang Xiaoxin asked curiously, "What bird is this?"

Turning to the nearby information board, she was astonished, "Is that really a crested ibis!?"

In her memory, the crested ibis should have light reddish feathers all over, a very beautiful bird, somewhat similar in appearance to a flamingo!

Did she remember incorrectly?

No, that can't be right. Crested ibis, Zhu Que, zhu means red; it should be a red bird! Why does it look so plain?

Qian Keke was also surprised, "Ah, is that really a crested ibis?"

Pointing at an information board that displayed the different plumage colors of the crested ibis, Tang Xiaoxin said, "It seems like it's explained here!"

Reading the board carefully, she learned about the mystery behind the color of the crested ibis feathers!

It turns out many birds change into different plumage colors during the breeding season to attract the opposite sex.

Take for instance the mandarin ducks at Waterfowl Lake, the mallards!

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The female mandarin ducks appear greyscale, while the male mandarin ducks are decked out in gaudy and colorful feathers, looking like a conspicuous firework on the water.

But come summer, the male mandarins at the zoo seem to mysteriously disappear, leaving only the drab females.

In actuality, the male mandarins shed their breeding plumage, donning plain grey female attire, transforming in an instant from "flower boys" to "Cinderellas".

The mallards are the same; the males are identified by their striking green heads, but in summer the green disappears, looking no different from the females.

Typically, the ducks put on their breeding feathers around January and start seeking partners at their winter grounds. By June or July, they shed their attractive breeding plumage.

For the crested ibis, black is the color they consider beautiful!

Their necks have a ring-shaped area that secretes a black substance from March to June, the mating period.

While bathing in the water and rubbing their necks and backs repeatedly with the black substance from their necks, they achieve a coloration effect.

Right after the application, the feather color is pure black, but after drying, it gradually turns to greyish black!

By July or August, when they molt, the feathers turn back to pristine white, as pure as driven snow.

The red color is actually underneath their wings.

Tang Xiaoxin suddenly understood, "So that's why!"

Turning her attention back to the crested ibis in the exhibit area, she saw one dipping its head down, its sharp bill poking into the soft mud, moving back and forth.

It seemed to have discovered prey, but failed to catch it; the ibis lifted its head and shook off the feathers, before attempting another peck, creating a splash of water.

This time it succeeded!

A loach was tightly clamped in the middle by the ibis's pointed bill, its body violently flapping, occasionally coiling around the ibis's long beak like a snake, as the ibis swung its head left and right, trying to dizzy the loach.

Perhaps because it was too slippery, the loach flew out of its mouth, wriggling wildly on the ground. The ibis hurriedly chased it, eyes fixed tightly on its prey, head weaving back and forth, pecking from in front down to its feet, pinning the loach from head to tail.

After a struggle, either because of severe injury from being pecked and clamped or simply from exhaustion, the loach's struggles became weaker until the ibis, shaking its beak, picked it up by its tip, then lifted its head, blinked, and with a couple of gulps, swallowed it down.

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