2001 Volume 6 Issue 2 Pages 61-66
The Cocrico (Ortalis ruficauda) is one of the two national birds of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.; the other is the Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber). Some observations were made at the Emperor Valley Zoo, where nine birds were kept on exhibit and have been laying and successfully hatching their chicks over a period of three years. In Tobago, five wildlife farmers were interviewed and two out of ten who were sent questionnaires responded. This case study suggested the following: 1] Some people in Tobago were interested and have been rearing the Cocrico in captivity. 2] Almost all these persons also reared other types of wildlife which included agouti; collared peccary; iguana; nine banded armadillos; opossums; ocelot; common tegu; parrots; and Curvier dwarf caimans. 3] Cocrico will lay and incubate eggs on the ground or in prepared nest boxes and this species did not demonstrate seasonality of laying in captivity.
