The Platypus and echidna are the world’s only monotremes or egg-laying mammals.
QBE Free Flight Bird Show - 'Freedom to Fly'
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Whether they are soaring above your heads, wading through water or preferring a more down to earth lifestyle, Australia is home to over 800 iconic, charismatic, and in some cases, peculiar species of bird … each with their own amazing ability to impress. With the stunning view of Sydney Harbour as a backdrop, the QBE Free Flight Bird Show brings you these birds and their unique talents, giving them the freedom to fly.
Starting in September of 1997, the show has come a long way; always aiming to inspire, educate and ‘wow’ its audiences as we fill the sky with a flurry of colour and cacophony of noise. Whether you are a first time viewer or can’t help but come back over and over again the show is always evolving.
The veterans that have been there from the very beginning include ‘Slammer’, our Black-Breasted Buzzard, ‘Stellar’, our Black Kite, ‘Billy’, our Brolga and ‘Jojo’ and ‘Jasper’, our duo of coin-snatching galahs, but, of course, we are continually expanding our bird show family. Most recently we debuted ‘Nonami’, our Wedge-tailed Eagle, ‘Leslie’, our Andean Condor, and a flock of six Red-tailed Black Cockatoos.
Andean Condors have had a long-standing relationship with the show with ‘Leslie’s’ father, Bruce as an original member. Bruce retired but luckily Leslie, with an impressive three-meter wingspan, is eager to take off in his stead.
As of 2005 Taronga Zoo Conservation Society launched three weeks of special NAIDOC shows that highlight and acknowledge indigenous Australians and their connections with the land and the birds that share it. This annual event and is one of our most exciting times of the year.
With a limitless sky of potential we are forever looking forward to bigger and better things. Just remember next time you are out and about to spend a little bit of time looking up, as you never know what beautiful birds may be flying right over head.
