Pittsburgh AAZK Chapter

It’s Earth Day! As we drift in this vast universe, how lucky are we that we can call the earth home?

We share our planet with 2.5 million known different species of organisms, but there may be up to 7.7 million species total! There are around 38,500 species currently listed by the ICUN as at risk of extinction, and that is with only around 28% of all known species assessed. Up to 70% of plants assessed are under threat. There is so much left to discover and so much to cherish and protect.

Some species that are on the verge of extinction include the vaquita which is the most endangered marine mammal with only around 9 individuals left on the planet. And one species a bit closer to home whom has been kept from extinction by accredited zoos and other facilities is the Guam Kingfisher! There are only around 130 Guam Kingfishers left in the world, and you can see some right here in Pittsburgh at the National Aviary)!

As we take a moment to appreciate all the amazing species we share our planet with, consider what small ways you can help protect the planet. Here are some great ideas: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Welcome to our Pittsburgh AAZK Chapter!
For those just finding us, AAZK stands for the American Association of Zoo Keepers. We are an animal loving bunch that aim to spread awareness of the amazing creatures we share our world with and promote fundraising events where we can help support those species most in need.

We are going to start a new Wildlife Wednesday series on our social media platforms to showcase some fun facts about animals around the world (no joke!). Please stick around as we explore some fun critters and the amazing lives they live~

To start out, let's meet an animal that fools others!
What kind of large red-eyed beast is this?
Sunbitterns are a species of bird found in the tropics of the Americas. These birds may look like bitterns but are in a family of their own and are more closely related to kagu.
Sunbitterns may appear drab and well camouflaged at first glance, but when alarmed they spread their wings wide and appear to transform into a much larger creature with its eyes wide open, a great way to scare off potential predators.

Some other cool features of this water-loving bird:
They have been found to use bait or lures to attract aquatic prey within their striking distance.
If they are protecting a chick, they will often try to lead a predator away from the area by pretending they have a broken wing.
There are three recognized subspecies that vary in their coloration and size. These subspecies are separated geographically (aka allopatric).
They are the only living members of their family (Eurypygidae) and genus.

You can see sunbitterns in person at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh!