Sylvan Bird Park: A Visit Into the Exotic - Part I | Eastern North Carolina Now

    But, after the Aviary, I come face to face with a brutish foul - the Crested Screamer - in the South American sector of the bird park.

The Crested Screamer steps to the fore, then he turns to measure the crowd, while the crowd waits for the vocal eruption that is sure come: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to enlarge.

    The Crested Screamer is a big bird, about 2 feet high; about the size of a Wild Turkey. It is a fierce bird, one so fierce, I witnessed a father thrust his wee 4 year old daughter toward the screaming bird, as a blocking agent, to save himself. Though the child was sacrificed, the father scurried forward to live another day.


And there it is; what we have all waited for - the vocal eruption. With the Crested Screamer running wild, it is no wonder that the children and fathers ran for their lives. I stuck and took the pictures: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to enlarge.

    While the Crested Screamer walked wild, the other birds in the South American sector stood in mock amazement, especially the Macaws.


The Green-winged Macaw watched with tolerant reserve, as the Crested Screamer held court; judging the public, punishing at will: Above. Likewise, the Scarlet Macaw saved its opinion in light of the horror foisted upon the pedestrians: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to enlarge.


'Strange bird in deed; Most peculiar mama. Roll.' - John Lennon (kind of). The Scarlet Ibis: Above.The Crested Screamer continues his business of public harassment unabated: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage     Click image to enlarge.