Birds are members of the class Aves, which boasts over 10,000 species. Most birds are able to fly, but some, like ostriches, kiwis, penguins, and emus, have wings but cannot fly, and other birds are far better at swimming than they are at flying. Birds are the only type of animals that have feathers, and all birds hatch from eggs. Their feathers, toenails, and scales are made of the same materials our fingernails are made of, and their bones are lightweight and sometimes hollow, which makes it easier for them to fly. Birds are very important for our environment because they eat bugs, spread plant seeds through their droppings, and provide food for other animals and humans.
Besides these things, birds are very intelligent and beautiful, and Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is pleased to present an extensive and diverse collection of birds for you to learn about and enjoy, including over 800 birds representing 70 different species.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes 10,027 bird species. Of these, 190 species are listed as critically endangered, 372 as endangered, and 678 as vulnerable, for a total of 1,240 species at risk out of the total population. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park cares for 18 threatened bird species. Here they are protected from predators, pollution, habitat loss, and human-caused threats.
