The show I saw featured 12 birds of various species. It started with macaws flying out from the rock wall on the bird show stage directly over the audience to a trainer waiting at the top of the amphitheater. It is very cool to have a bird skim right over your head, and I do mean skim (see above)! Just 10 months old, the macaw youngsters will gradually learn to make longer flights as they build their flying skills. We were also treated to the wondrous sight of an African crowned crane gliding elegantly from one side of the amphitheater to the other, long legs gracefully trailing underneath. Again, it flew so close you could see its toenails!

There were some glitches in the show, but that just adds to the fun. For example, a young volunteer came onstage and held her arm out like a branch for a Nicobar pigeon to land on. Well, the pigeon was willing to perch anywhere but on the child’s arm! And a Eurasian eagle owl named Julio (or is it Whoo-lio?) spent a long time deciding if he wanted to come out from the rock wall and fly to his trainer. After much coaxing, he did fly over our heads—then made a sharp right turn and flew right out of the show area! Not to worry: another trainer was stationed on that hillside and soon returned with the feathered explorer perched comfortably on her arm.

It takes a lot of time, effort, and patience to get animals to show off their natural behaviors on cue, but the Frequent Flyers staff is up to the challenge. Come see who’s stretching their wings on your next visit to the Wild Animal Park!

Debbie Andreen is the San Diego Zoo’s Web site editor.