Kid Territory:Critters: Meet Our Macaw
Papagayo (left) keeps busy at the Zoo, whether it be greeting visitors, meeting guests on a special tour, or visiting a local school.
As an animal ambassador, Papagayo has taken part in many school assemblies.
Zoo name: Papagayo
Species: Scarlet macaw
Location: San Diego Zoo's bus loading area
Her story
"Polly want a cracker?" That’s often what you hear when Zoo guests encounter our macaws—though usually you hear the words out of the visitors’ mouths! These beautiful birds fascinate our guests, but the parrots aren’t just pretty faces—some of them are also animal ambassadors!
Poppy (our nickname for Papagayo) is one of a group of exotic animals, cared for by Children's Zoo keepers and handled by both keepers and educators. Besides acting as a "greeter bird" at the tour bus loading area, she appears on TV and radio, in school assembly programs, and in various special events around the Zoo.
As an ambassador, Poppy helps us teach people about the macaw's role in the rain forest, as well as the problems macaws face from deforestation and the pet trade. About one million parrots are smuggled into the United States every year, and most die from stress, suffocation, starvation, or dehydration.
Not a good pet
Showing why a parrot might not make a good household pet is no problem. An ear-piercing screech, a splashing poop, or a demonstration of Poppy's mighty beak as she cracks open a walnut (or sometimes even breaks the handlers’ watches and name badges) all help convince the audience that even legally raised and documented parrots are still a challenge! And, we add, the Zoo doesn’t have room to adopt unwanted parrot pets. So think, research, and plan carefully before adopting one, because they can live as long as we do!
You can see that this popular bird keeps busy. Are you still wondering if she can talk? Poppy is pretty rowdy and vocal. She says "hello" in a variety of voices. She says her name, and she mutters. She says "ouch" as she grooms her handlers—echoing our response when she plucks out our arm hairs! She also says "uh-oh," whistles, and screams so loudly that people cover their ears!
Where you can see her
Papagayo usually sits at the entrance of the Zoo's bus tour loading area. Stop by and say "Hi!" Just remember, she might answer back!
More
San
Diego Zoo: Activities
Animal Bytes:
Macaw, Thick-billed Parrot, Tropical
Rain Forest
Education Programs
