Mirrors for oystercatchers? Take a look inside shorebird enrichment at the Seattle Aquarium
A visit to the shorebird habitat at the Seattle Aquarium can resemble a trip to a superstore; there’s a little of everything. In addition to birds, you can find toy blocks, mirrors, heat lamps, wind chimes and even rubber ducks. But these items are more than just the world’s most eclectic shopping list. They’re part of enrichment for the Aquarium’s resident birds.
Enrichment refers to experiences and care that allow animals to express natural behavior or instincts and provide physical and/or mental stimulation. Different categories of enrichment include social/behavioral, sensory, food-based and devices.
Mirrors and toys provide stimulating enrichment to shorebirds at the Aquarium.
At the Seattle Aquarium, our animal enrichment is designed and monitored by our dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary teams. These plans are reviewed during regular accreditation inspections by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)—a global independent nonprofit that holds its member zoos and aquariums, including us, to the highest standards.
Before a new enrichment device or activity is implemented, it goes through a proposal and approval process by Aquarium staff. And for our birds and mammals, each enrichment device is approved on a per-animal basis. What works for a black oystercatcher might not go over so well with a Western snowy plover.
Because our Animal Care team knows the animals so well as individuals, they can tailor enrichment to meet everyone’s specific needs.
Enrichment in action
Devices are probably the most visible forms of enrichment. This category includes toys like rubber ducks and plastic blocks. Some enrichment items fall into multiple categories, like puzzle feeders, which are devices that stimulate the oystercatchers mentally while delivering food.
Other types of enrichment might be more difficult for visitors to detect but go a long way in keeping things interesting for the shorebirds. Caretakers sprinkle essential oils, like lavender and lemon, or spices, like curry powder and rosemary, around habitats to provide sensory stimulation.
Likes and dislikes
As individuals, the birds have their own likes and dislikes when it comes to enrichment. The male killdeer loves to sit in front of a mirror and make noises. His caretakers believe he enjoys the “company.” One of the oystercatchers also loves mirrors, as well as windchimes. She’s got a great sense of interior design!
Mirrors provide sensory enrichment for the shorebirds.
Like all animals at the Aquarium, the shorebirds maintain a sense of personal agency and choose whether to engage with enrichment. As anyone who has ever spent $100 on a cat tree only for your pet to prefer a cardboard box knows, animals are not afraid of expressing their preferences. Our animal care staff closely monitors how the birds respond to each type of enrichment.
Some of the shorebirds at the Aquarium are considered elderly for their species. While their enrichment needs don’t necessarily change as they age, Animal Care staff have noticed that the older birds tend to prefer more naturalistic enrichment over toys.
Changing seasons
We’re entering cozy season at the Seattle Aquarium. Like the temperature and sunset time, enrichment also changes with the seasons. When the weather gets cold, our staff turns on warmers for the birds. These are spread throughout the habitat so birds can choose to keep each other company or stay solo while warming their feathers.
There are heaters hidden around the shorebird habitat—including under this rock—to keep the birds nice and cozy during winter.
The summer coincides with egg-laying season for many shorebirds. And while some older birds are past the age where they lay eggs, one of the female oystercatchers at the Aquarium still does. Caretakers noticed that she tends to build her nest in a sunny spot from which she does not move, so they set up a mister to help keep her cool.
Summer breeding season also brings changes. Some of the birds, like the mirror-loving killdeer, become chattier during this time. Others display more territorial behavior, which the caretakers account for. Animal care staff also provide the birds with clamshells and other materials to help them build their nests.
Whatever the season, you can see shorebirds—plus thousands more animals—at the Seattle Aquarium 365 days a year. And with enrichment switching up daily, there’s always something new to sea. Plan your visit today!
