Returned to the zoo from Africa with its “backpack” in time for International migratory bird day
Last year four of Prague Zoo’s night herons were tagged with satellite transmitters, the first has already returned to its nesting grounds. It was spotted by ornithologists Lubomír Pešek and Karel Pithart on Saturday 1st April. For the first time it was possible to map this species’ journey to its wintering grounds and back to the nesting site.
Photo: Lubomír Peške
The migration of female K57 was extremely fast, for instance the journey from the coast of Africa to the wintering grounds - i.e. across the Sahara - took just 53 hours. She first wintered in Nigeria, then moved on to Mali. Surprisingly her return took longer, but in one stage of the return trip she managed to fly over 2200 km in 34 hours!
The project to track night herons by satellite was organised by Prague Zoo with the support of Commercial Bank.
Last year four of Prague Zoo’s night herons were tagged with satellite transmitters, the first has already returned to its nesting grounds. It was spotted by ornithologists Lubomír Pešek and Karel Pithart on Saturday 1st April. For the first time it was possible to map this species’ journey to its wintering grounds and back to the nesting site.
Night Heron, photo: Lubomír Peške 
The representatives of this species nesting in Prague Zoo have a direct genetic relationship to our wild populations.
The night heron, as it is commonly called, is a medium-sized, wading bird species. It has a large head, strong beak and short tail; in adults the colouring is contrasting - a dark top to the body, a light face and underside, grey sides and yellow...
Our night-herons are monitored using satellite telemetry, which automatically tracks the movement of animals. In recent decades this manner has gained in popularity around the world, especially when monitoring the migration routes...
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