Captive Breeding Program

Bronx Zoo Breeding Program for the South American Andean Cock of the Rock:

The Andean Cock of the Rock is widely regarded as the national bird of Peru. It is estimated that this species is not currently under threat but its usual terrain is. Males are known for their bright orange plumage, while the females are brown in colour, to enable them to blend into the rocks at the time of nesting. An artificial rock face is part of the birds' zoo exhibit. These birds are found in tropical and sub-tropical rain forests. The female usually lays two eggs.  

 

The Bronx Zoo welcomed not one but two chicks in 2018-2019, the first successful breeding of this South American species at the zoo in 40 years (since 1979).  By using some new techniques, which included a slow increase in the preferred food provided to its resident three hens and also increasing the number of 'rain showers' provided, it was hoped that this seasons breeding period would be successful using these new introductions.  

 

The Zoo also introduced about 7 full-size models of the Male cock-of-the-rock to increase the 'overall' numbers from 4 to 11. This unusual intervention was to encourage more active pre-breeding performances between males, which in turn attract the attention of the females. These new methods obviously worked, with a single hen taking the bait (so to speak), laying her first egg soon after. Staff removed the fledgling chick one week after hatching, so it could be hand raised, as it would be in danger of being killed by males which were still intent on mating.

 

The chick was hand reared on a variety of tropical fruits and was slowly encouraged to perch on small branches. Over a period of time, the chick was transferred into slightly larger enclosures to enable short distance flights, which was a way of strengthening its wing muscles and dexterity.

 

A short time after the removal of her first chick, the same hen was found to be mothering another one week old fledging. There is no word yet on who the father/s may be.       

 

Andean cock-of-the-rock

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