ABSTRACT
Water-dwelling birds are commonly housed in zoos and aquariums (hereafter “zoos”) globally. Popular taxonomic orders include Anseriformes (wildfowl), Phoenicopteriformes (flamingos), Pelecaniformes (pelicans and related species), Gruiformes (cranes and related species), and Ciconiiformes (storks). Many species are of conservation concern, managed for ex-situ population sustainability goals and/or as part of in-situ programmes too. The wide range of unique taxonomic-specific anatomical, physiological, and behavioural adaptations of aquatic birds make them ideal species for supporting the educational, research, and recreation goals of the modern zoo, and for explaining such goals to visitors. Key information on the behaviour of aquatic birds (including adaptations to wild habitats, time-activity patterns, and behavioural diversity) should be used as evidence to underpin husbandry and management decisions. This chapter covers key behavioural adaptations of representative species of waterbird to show how such information helps advance evidence-based husbandry, enclosure design, and population management techniques in the zoo.
