Central Florida Zoo: New cuckoos have moved in
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has gone cuckoo. The Sanford attraction has added five female Guira cuckoos to its South American Bird Habitat.
They have joined two violaceous turacos and a red-footed tortoise named Pebble there.
The new birds are vocal, the zoo says, are excellent hunters and forage for insects on the ground. They are relatives of the greater roadrunner.
Among the other bird species living at the zoo are kookaburra, silvery-cheeked hornbill, black-throated magpie jay, macaw, yellow-crowned Amazon, bald eagle and American black vulture. The zoo has more than 350 animals overall.
Central Florida Zoo is offering free kids admission (age 12 and younger) with the purchase of an adult ticket. This deal is available through Aug. 31 and must be purchased in person. General admission for adults is $23.95 on weekdays and $25.95 on weekends and holidays.
Friday’s Sunset at the Zoo event is tied to Native American and Alaska native heritage. The 5 p.m. event includes entertainment, food trucks, vendors, animal enrichment and feedings and kid-friendly games. Tickets are $8 ($6 when purchased in advance online).
For more information, go to centralfloridazoo.org.