Prague Zoo Uses Unique Puppetry Technique for Rearing Gyrfalcon Chicks
In the modern Prague Zoo, staff actively implement innovative approaches in the upbringing and reintroduction of rare bird species.
Special attention is given to the chicks of the yellow-headed vulture, which, due to challenging natural conditions, are unable to leave the nest in time or develop proper bird identity.
To foster these chicks’ development, the zoo employs handmade imitation puppets resembling adult gyrfalcons.
These puppets, meticulously crafted to match the head and beak features of mature birds, help the young birds recognize themselves with their species rather than humans.
This method not only reduces the risk of imprinting on humans — a phenomenon that can hinder future reproduction — but also promotes socialization and environmental adaptation.
The practice has been previously used for other species, such as large hornbills and Javan green magpies.
Thanks to these efforts, Prague Zoo remains one of the few European centers successfully breeding and conserving the yellow-headed vulture, which is listed as critically endangered.
Innovative techniques like these are crucial for preserving rare and vulnerable avian species and serve as a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, recent studies reveal that some parrots can imitate over thirty dance moves to music, demonstrating complex individual behaviors that underscore their cognitive abilities and behavioral diversity in captivity.