Cinereous Vultures

Name: Aegypius monachus

Fact: Cinereous vultures build a huge nest, as large as 8 feet wide and 7 feet deep, where they then lay 1 egg.

Red-Billed Blue Magpie

Name: Urocissa Erythrorhyncha

Fact: This species excels at vocal mimicry, and its calls are varied, but the most usual are a grating rattle and a high pitched whistle.

Golden Pheasant

Name: Chrysolophus Pictus

Fact: Chinese golden pheasants have been domesticated since 1740.

Scarlet Ibis

Name: Eudocimus ruber

Fact: As with flamingos, the color of a scarlet ibis’ feathers can vary based on its diet. The pink, orange or red coloration comes from carotene pigments in the algae and crustaceans they eat.

Caloenas Nicobarica

Name: Caloenas Nicobarica

Fact: Nicobar pigeons are very nomadic, often commuting to larger islands to feed during the day. However, they typically roost and breed on islands where there are no predators or humans.

Florida Sandhill Crane

Name: Grus Canadensis Pratensis

Fact: Sandhill cranes perform dancing displays that involve wing flapping, bowing and jumping and sometimes even the tossing of plants and sticks into the air.

For more information about all of the animals in our collection, visit This companion website was created in 2016 and expanded in 2017 as Senior Projects for Conservation Biology at Virginia Tech.