BY ACHIM JOHANN

The order Charadriiformes comprises about 320 bird species of very different appearance, ranging from the rail-look-alike jacanas via the waders to the terns, gulls and auks. In zoos the vast majority of members of this taxon are somewhat neglected. In the wild, on the other hand, waders in particular are of great interest for bird-watchers, though it may be that gulls are too common a sight to be species of interest to zoos.

Obviously, in zoos, many of these species live in the shadow of other birds which are more colourful or in some way more `glamorous'. There are some themed exhibits like landscaped aviaries for shorebirds which specialize in waders, and exotic plovers and jacanas are added to geographically laid-out mixed-species exhibits. With the aim of developing Regional Collection Plans, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) are proposed by the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). The Charadriiformes TAG was initiated with a constitutional meeting during the EEP annual conference in September 1998 in Berlin. The small group of about 15 dedicated bird enthusiasts who gathered there met again in June 1999 at Walsrode, and most recently at the EEP annual conference in Basle in September 1999.

The aims of the Charadriiformes TAG had been defined as follows:

Surveys of Charadriiformes in European zoos had been made by the EEP office before the inauguration of the TAG, and data from these, including a recent one of 1999, were used as the basis for discussing a species-by-species list.

Comparatively few species in this order are listed in the Red Data Book, and none of these are represented in European collections. However, being of conservation concern is not the only criterion for putting a species on a Regional Collection Plan. Collection plans also have to consider preserving a diversity of species in zoos. The recommended species should be of educational value and contribute to the attractiveness of collections. Furthermore they could serve as model species, helping zoos to improve husbandry and gain experience which may be of use in future breeding programmes for endangered species.

When reviewing the results of the surveys and voting for certain species to be put on the list, the TAG always kept in mind the need to argue why the species was chosen (i.e. educational role, diversity of collections, model species, conservation concern). It had been decided in advance that European species should be given preference if there was competition for space among closely related species, e.g. between European and American avocets or Mexican and black-winged stilts.

The following species are recommended to be kept in European zoos and should therefore receive some attention when formulating individual collection plans:

Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana). Forty wattled jacanas are registered as being kept in 13 European zoos (data from the 1999 survey). Only two zoos report breeding success. All jacana species are said to be difficult to maintain and breed, and so far zoo stocks have depended on ongoing imports from the wild. As zoos are interested in jacanas, especially for maintenance in tropical houses, efforts should be made to establish a self-sustaining captive population. Therefore husbandry guidelines are essential, and as a first TAG action Pierre de Wit, Emmen Zoo is working on compiling husbandry guidelines for the species.

Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus). Thick-knees are popular for mixed-species exhibits. For the reasons mentioned above, the Eurasian thick-knee should be given preference as a regional representative of the genus. About 30 thick-knees are kept in 20 European collections, and breeding occurs regularly.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). Nearly 100 oystercatchers are kept in 28 zoos. Breeding is occurring, but not on a regular basis. Some keepers experience difficulties in rearing oystercatchers. It may be that some zoos do not give special attention to breeding this species because there is some restocking with `rescued' wild birds. Oystercatchers are attractive additions to seabird displays. However, care has to be taken in mixing them with other species, as they might destroy the eggs of other aviary-mates, especially those of wader species which hide their nests and do not defend their eggs.

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus h. himantopus). There are 76 black-winged stilts in 18 European zoos, and they are in competition for space with more than 90 Mexican stilts (H. h. mexicanus). The stock of the latter species has increased significantly over the last few years as a result of recent imports and following good breeding results. Breeding by black-winged stilts, on the other hand, is currently decreasing because of bad rearing results, which may be a result of inbreeding problems in closely related stock. There is great interest among zoos in keeping stilts, and in future decision-making the black-winged form should be given preference in European collections. It is recommended that husbandry guidelines for stilts should be produced.

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). This is by far the most commonly-kept of the Charadriiformes in captivity. More than 430 specimens in 36 collections were reported in the last survey. Breeding occurs regularly, but there is evidence that some zoos have maintenance problems with this species, whereas others rear the large numbers to sustain the captive population. Husbandry guidelines are required. Avocets are very attractive birds to display in zoos, especially when kept in large colonies in landscaped aviaries, and they draw most of the visitors' attention in mixed-species wader exhibits.

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). Seventy northern lapwings are kept in 26 zoos, but only nine zoos report breeding this species. A number of the captive lapwings were originally unplanned additions to the collections as rescued and injured birds. As with many strictly territorial species, there is only limited room for them in zoos as they compete for enclosure space with other related species. However, northern lapwings are largely peaceful to other bird species, and can therefore be added to mixed-species exhibits.

Exotic Lapwings. As a result of reviewing the survey figures, the following species received preference as there is a good captive stock available and breeding is occurring regularly: Northern Masked Lapwing (Vanellus m. miles), Crowned Lapwing (V. coronatus) and Spur-winged Lapwing (V. spinosus). Zoos often want to keep these forms in geographically laid-out aviaries. In general they pose no husbandry problems.

Egyptian Plover (Pluvianus aegyptius). Egyptian plovers are attractive birds and among zoos there is great interest in keeping them. More than 40 birds are currently registered. However, breeding is exceptional and it was only recently that Krefeld Zoo achieved breeding success. This is promising for the future propagation of this species, and as husbandry advice is essential, Wolfgang Dressen of Krefeld Zoo will work on this.

Redshank (Tringa totanus). About 100 redshanks are kept in European zoos and breeding success is promising, so establishing a self-sustaining population will be successful. Husbandry guidelines are being prepared by the author, and a preliminary version is now available. Because of their greyish appearance, redshanks are not among the most glamorous representatives of the taxon, but because of their lively behaviour and especially their vocalization they are attractive additions to mixed-species exhibits. As a representative of the fauna of a natural meadow landscape, the species is of great educational value.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax). There is a very great demand by zoos to add this spectacular wader to their collections. However, captive-bred birds come nowhere near filling this demand, as breeding and especially rearing ruffs cause considerable problems. Twelve zoos are reported to maintain a total of 77 ruffs, but only two zoos have successfully reared this species, and all but two of the 66 young reared over the last five years grew up at Rheine Zoo. Hopefully these and the offspring of 1999 may contribute to establishing more breeding colonies. There are some gaps in our knowledge on the correct husbandry of this species. Husbandry guidelines are available in a first version from Rheine Zoo.

Inca Tern (Larosterna inca). A hundred and thirty Inca terns are kept in 13 European zoos. Only some of these institutions contribute to sustain the captive stock by successful breeding. Husbandry guidelines are essential to disseminate information on the correct maintenance of this highly attractive species. Pierre de Wit of Emmen Zoo is compiling data, and a first version of husbandry advice will be available soon.

The Recommended Species List with the 13 species mentioned is not a static one and each collection plan has to be revised regularly.

Among the other species of the taxon Charadriiformes found in captivity, there are some more to be added to the list depending on successful propagation. There is a growing interest in auks (Alcidae) as special seabird exhibits are built (Lisbon Aquarium, Rotterdam Zoo). Recommended species will be Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), Razorbill (Alca torda) and Common Murre (Guillemot) (Uria aalge). Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) are also being considered for maintenance. For all of these species husbandry guidelines will be necessary: Catherine King of Rotterdam Zoo has already compiled comprehensive material. Apart from the kittiwake, gulls (Laridae) are not currently represented on the list because of very limited interest in this bird group.

The members of the TAG will regularly meet to revise the Collection Plan, to exchange practical experiences in maintenance and to include these in the husbandry guidelines. Promoting the selected species is important to ensure the long-term establishment of self-sustaining populations. Bearing in mind that zoos have only limited capacity to maintain a selection of species, priority has given to some to ensure diversity in future. Cooperation and exchange of information between zoos is essential in the same way. Taxon Advisory Groups are therefore open to any persons interested in the relevant group of animals and willing to contribute actively to such work as that outlined above. TAGs are also a source of information on the taxon for anyone who wishes for advice or needs help in the correct husbandry of certain species (see Appendix 1).

Returning to the Charadriiformes, it is certainly an aim of the TAG to convince zoos that members of this order are anything but boring or dull, and that efforts are needed to establish a number of them in our collections.

I am very grateful to all the active members of the Charadriiformes TAG who contributed to the fast progress of our work. Many thanks to Nicholas Gould for his editorial work on past, this and future articles.

For information on the Charadriiformes TAG and the Regional Collection Plan, contact Achim Johann at NaturZoo Rheine.

For husbandry guidelines contact the following:

Wattled Jacana and Inca Tern – Pierre de Wit, Noorder Dierenpark, Emmen, Netherlands.

Egyptian Plover – Wolfgang Dressen, Zoo Krefeld, Germany.

Redshank and Ruff – Achim Johann, NaturZoo Rheine, Germany.

Alcids – Catherine King, Zoo Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Achim Johann, Chair of Charadriiformes TAG, NaturZoo Rheine, Salinenstrasse 150, D-48432 Rheine, Germany.