Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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April 1st marks International Bird Day. The Moscow Zoo, which is part of the capital's Department of Culture, home to unique birds: cassowaries, southern ground hornbills, shoebills, and other rare species. Tickets can be purchased through Mosbilet.
African hornbill: Southern ground hornbill
The Southern Ground Hornbill is the largest member of the hornbill family. It reaches 120 centimeters in length, and males weigh up to six kilograms. The bird gets its name from its massive, hooked bill.
The pair of birds has been living at the Moscow Zoo for over 20 years. In 2017, they had their first chick, which ornithologists hand-fed. Two years later, in 2019, three more chicks were born—named Socrates, Bruno, and Platon. The great horned ravens can now be seen in the "House of Birds" on the old site.
Southern ground hornbills are native to Africa. At birth, they are brown, but their feathers turn black and red as they mature. Their diet includes mice, quail, insects, and nuts. In captivity, these birds can live for over 60 years.
The world's most dangerous bird: the southern cassowary
Cassowaries have lived in the Moscow Zoo since 1995 and can be seen in the House of Birds enclosure.
The southern cassowary is one of the largest birds on the planet. Its body length reaches 170 centimeters, and females can weigh up to 58 kilograms. These birds have a dark brown, horny cap on their heads, while their sides and neck are bright blue and red, which change depending on the bird's behavior.
Cassowaries also have powerful three-toed feet, with an inner claw reaching 10 centimeters in length. In the wild, this bird is considered one of the most dangerous. Cassowaries inhabit the tropical forests of New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Their diet includes fruits, cereals, eggs, and cottage cheese, with the addition of fish and meat.
A bird listed in the IUCN Red List: the shoebill
In 2024, a pair of young shoebills was added to the Moscow Zoo's collection. Russia became the first country to display these rare birds. A new 350-square-meter enclosure was built for them on the existing property next to the skating rink.
An adult shoebill can reach 150 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of 2.5 meters. Shoebills have gray feathers, a white belly, and a small crest of feathers on the back of their heads. The birds prefer to live alone; the male and female are kept in separate sections of the enclosure and meet only during the breeding season. Their diet includes trout and carp.
Shoebills inhabit the swampy areas of East Africa, from South Sudan to Zambia. There are approximately 8,000 individuals left in the wild; this species is listed as endangered. The bird gets its name from its enormous beak, which they use to catch fish and carry water for their chicks—their beak can hold up to a liter of liquid.
In addition, three species of birds—Red-listed Japanese cranes, green peafowl, and spotted turkeys—can be observed in the online broadcast project fromMoscow ZooA broadcast from the "Japanese Yard" exhibit, where these birds are kept, is available daily. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Moscow Department of Information Technology.
The program of events at the Moscow Zoo contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project in Moscow "Family"More information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atspecial page.
With service Mosbilet It's convenient and enjoyable to plan any kind of vacation—from theater and concerts to sports activities and picnics. Tickets are sold without markups or intermediary commissions. The service also offers many free events. You can also buy tickets to theater premieres of the new season and performances featuring famous artists. If you have a full or standard package, account On mos.ru, you don't need to enter personal information when purchasing. Tickets for children are purchased using a simplified process. Users of the service don't need to bring identification to attend a cultural event; they simply show the ticket inspector their digital ticket's QR code.
Today, the Moscow Zoo is a dynamically developing space where scientific research is conducted, international conferences are held, educational programs are implemented, and a unique atmosphere is created daily for introducing residents and visitors to the amazing world of wildlife.
In early 2025, the Moscow Zoo set a world record for the number of animal species represented—1,253. By 2026, this number had exceeded 1,280. This remarkable achievement was made possible by the many years of work of a team of zoologists, veterinarians, keepers, and other staff.
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