|
A vast enclosure borders with the large pond. It is constructed in such a way that visitors can enter the inside: the entrance is specially designed to let people in and not to allow the birds to fly away. The enclosure was designed for keeping and breeding of non-aggressive birds, whose nests may suffer from crows. Now it is inhabited by a group of red-breasted geese. In summer time they are kept together with the peacocks (PAVO CRISTATUS) and pheasants (PHASIANIDAE)
 Red-breasted geese (BRANTA RUFICOLLIS) (ANATIDAE) are very rare. They are found only in Russia where they nest in tundras of Western Siberia. Breeding colonies are small and consist of 4-5 pairs. The nests are opened and well-visible. They are built of dry plant stalks and are covered inside with down. Clutch size is 3-6, sometimes up to 9 eggs, and hatching lasts for 25-27 days. The nestlings grow fast and in September all birds usually leave their habitats in tundra for wintering. The diet of this species consists mainly of grass vegetation.
These geese are under the risk of loss both on nesting sites, and on winter stay, so the species is included in the Red List of IUCN and in the Red book of Russia. Red-breasted geese were bred in the Moscow zoo for several times.
|