Bird is the Word

~After watching monkey antics, I began to explore the rest of Ueno Zoo. The most noticeable feature of the are is a five-storied pagoda found smack in the middle of the Zoo:

^ There was a sign in English behind the pagoda, which reads:

FIVE-STORIED PAGODA OF THE FORMER KAN-EIJI TEMPLE
This was built in 1631 by a leading vassal of the Tokugawa
shogunate Government, and designated as an important cultural
property by the national government.

(What I don't understand is why the first use of the word 'government' is capitalized, but the second use isn't. My theory is that Tokugawa would send ninjas after you if you didn't capitalize his administration.)

If you've been following this blog for a few months, you may recall another five-storied pagoda that I took a picture of on Sado Island.

Near the pagoda was a large area holding exotic birds. I took pictures of the more interesting ones, and even included their Latin names for your "en-Latin-ment":

^ King Vulture (sarcoamhpus papa). Hail to the King, baby! I love the way this guy (or is it a girl?) looks into my camera. Vultures play an important part in the ecosystem as scavengers, and are also useful for laying spider mines.

^ Andean Condor (vultur gryphus). Can't you just picture this bird flying around Machu Picchu, occasionally swooping out of the sky to carry of a small kid, either goat or human? It's hard to tell from this picture, but this condor is BIG; I'd estimate it was at least 2.5 feet tall. You can tell that he's male by the wattle hanging from his throat that is absent in females. Isn't the Internet a wonderful learning tool?

^ Bateleur (terathopius ecaudatus). Also known as the "Serpent-Eagle", which sounds like name of some ancient Aztec God, although this bird is native to Africa. He looks very regal to me, and would look good on the back of a coin.

^ Triton Cockatoo (cacatua galerita triton). Note that there are no bars in front of this picture. The area with the cockatoo had only a small railing. I assume the bird's wings have been clipped to keep if from flying. Can you see how vividly blue the cockatoo's eye is?

^ Speaking of blue, this blue bird was in a small indoor exhibit. I didn't catch its name, but it had beautiful blue-and-red plumage.

Later, I came across a large area of cranes. No, not the kind that build houses and highways; I mean the kind that stand on tall, thin, stilt-like legs, and are used in Tai C'hi stances. Here are some pictures:

^ Red-crowned Crane (grus japonensis). The "red-crowned" designation comes from the red feathers found on the bird's head and around its eyes. The red-crowned crane lives in Asia and is also native to Japan, hence the "japonensis" in its scientific name. This fellow can certainly crane his neck, can't he?

^ Secretary Bird (saggitarius serpentarius). No, I didn't make up the name "Secretary Bird"! That has got to be the coolest name of any avian lifeform, which originated from the feathers behind its head that look like quill pens. Even its scientific name, saggitarius serpentarius, is cool: it means "Archer of Snakes". This is a truly unique bird, which is taxonomically grouped into its own bird family. It's native to Africa.

Technically, this is a bird of prey (keep that in mind the next time you talk to a secretary). Here's an excerpt from this web site: "Its equipment for killing differs from all other birds of prey in that its kills by stamping with its long, powerful legs, engaging the short rear talon with the base of the skull of its prey with extreme force and absolute accuracy." Game Over Man, Game Over!

Don't you want one now? "I have a bullfinch!" says your first friend, "It can sing!". "I have a parrot!" says the second friend, "It can talk!". You could retort with, "Oh yeah, well I have a damn secretary bird! It can take notes, call people, keep the office neat, and smash your skull with its talons!"

While I was taking pictures of the secretary bird, a British family with several children came up and gawked at it (while it gawked back). The father told his children that it was like "The phoenix in Harry Potter." I was *almost* embarrassed that I actually understood what he meant.

^ Wattled Crane (bugeranus carunculatus), also native to Africa, although unfortunately quite endangered. Notice the wattle hanging from it's neck, just like a turkey. Ben Franklin would be proud.

^ Bald Ibis (geronticus calvis). Native to South Africa. These birds were quite social and remained huddled together. One enterprising bald ibis was using his long beak to fish through the bars at a small flower. Perhaps he was looking for dessert?

^ Scarlet Ibis (eudocimus ruber). Isn't this bird gorgeous? It reminds me of the cardinal that sometimes alihts on the bird feeder behind my house, with Rascal the Mighty Hunter crouched nearby, tail twitching, wondering if he can eat the cardinal for lunch...

^ White Spoonbill (platalea l. leucorodia). This bird is native to Japan, but rarely seen. One interesting fact is that its bill looks much like a rice scoop, which every person in Japan is familiar with.

What scientists need to do is genetically engineer a white sporkbill. He'd be the ultimate eating machine!

^Another crane, although I'm unable to identify it. This one was wandering around the shore of a lake that takes up most of the western section of Ueno Zoo. Here's a panoramic picture of the lake that I put together:

Stay tuned for more pictures from the zoo! ~Oyasumi.