Comments on: The Bird of Seven Colors

By: rainforest

rainforest — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:52:21 +0000

Hi Katherine,
We currently have no hummingbirds because they have specific husbandry requirements and are difficult to acquire (the tropical species). We do, however, have honeycreepers, which have a similar bill and also like nectar. Come check them out!

By: Katheirne Buss

Katheirne Buss — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 03:26:48 +0000

Hi! Thanks very much for promptly answering my question whether you have any hummingbirds at the Rainforest exhibit. You said “No,” and now I’m wondering “Why not?” I’m sure there’s a good reason. Thanks.

Katherine

By: rtom

rtom — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:40:08 +0000

Hello Hilda,
We are so pleased that our blog post about paradise tanagers brought you joy! In the next couple of days, we will be posting another blog about Suriname toads (Pipa pipa). They have a face only a mother could love and a very unique reproduction cycle. Check back soon! Also, if you have any special requests about plants or animals from Borneo, Madagascar, Costa Rica or the Amazon, let us know! We would be more than happy to incorporate what you are interested in learning about into a future blog post.

By: rtom

rtom — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:35:29 +0000

Hello Katherine,
We are thrilled that you love the Academy (and especially the Rainforest)! You are correct, we do not have any hummingbirds in our exhibit. We do have two female red-legged honeycreepers (Cyanerpes cyaneus) which look somewhat similar to hummingbirds. Hope this helps!

By: rtom

rtom — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:23:22 +0000

Hello Jackie,
Interestingly enough, although the paradise tanager is known locally as the bird of “seven colors,” it actually only has six. They are: black, blue, violet, red, yellow and green.

By: Hilda White

Hilda White — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:54:36 +0000

As I am not able to get to San Francisco due to physical infirmity at age 93,I am grateful to be able to be at my computer and ‘go abroad to learn something new every day. This morning I learned about another species of birds, my most favorite of all creatures in the animal world. To visit, on this day, the Academy and meet the paradise tanager, bird of seven colors, gave me great joy.Thank you for the introduction!

By: Katherine Buss

Katherine Buss — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:09:32 +0000

Hi People,

I just love the Academy’s Rainforest exhibit! I’ve been to the beautiful new reincarnation of the Academy of Sciences twice now, yesterday with 18 family members! Both times I’ve been to the new Academy, the Rainforest exhibit was my favorite part! I talked with a fellow bird-lover today, and she wondered if there are any hummingirds in the Rainforest exhibit. I saw some exquisite birds and butterflies, but didn’t see any hummingbirds at the Rainforest exhibit, and I’m wondering if you have any there. I’m guessing you might not, because it might be too difficult to grow enough flowers year-round to meet the high energy needs of hummingbirds. Is that why you don’t have any hummingbirds there, or do you have them and I just didn’t see them?

Katherine

By: jackie lehmer

jackie lehmer — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:56:32 +0000

what are the 7 colors

By: rainforest

rainforest — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:51:05 +0000

Paradise tanagers range in the Amazon basin, east of the Andes. Countries include Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and of course Brazil. Costa Rica has lots of birds, but no paradise tanagers. Eric.

By: rainforest

rainforest — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:48:14 +0000

Molla, birds are very adaptable. We cut the fruit into small pieces in hopes that they also grab some pellets for a complete diet. Wild birds will often eat from whole fruit that is cut open. Tanagers and orioles in particular enjoy oranges and bananas. Eric