I imagine most people think of Christmas Day as being filled with sleeping in, opening presents and settling down to a big family meal. As head of section on the bird team, when I picture Christmas, it’s probably not the traditional activities that fill my mind first, but of the animals in our care here at Wingham Wildlife Park.
As with many specialist professions, for zoo staff the day often begins with a very different kind of excitement. Caring for animals isn’t a job that can be paused for public holidays. The animals rely on us every day and that responsibility doesn’t disappear just because it’s December 25th.
Working on the bird section in itself is a unique blend of routine and responsibility, as working with birds comes with its own challenges. While every day follows a familiar structure, no two days ever feel exactly the same when you’re surrounded by creatures that can sing, soar and try to perch on you at any moment.
This is never more true than on Christmas Day! After working here for around 15 years I’m pretty used to working over Christmas now. Yes, I might miss out on a few festive films and snacks on the sofa, but working at the Park comes with it’s own kind of excitement as its the only day of the year that we are closed to the public.
One of the first things I notice arriving for work on Christmas morning is the calm. Without the usual crowds, the grounds feel eerily quiet… it feels like you’ve been invited into a private world, one that most people never get to see.
Our morning routine doesn’t change too much on Christmas day. Mornings are all about checks and preparation. We walk through the aviaries and enclosures, observing each bird carefully. Is everyone active? Eating normally? Perched where they should be? These quiet observations are essential every single day as birds are experts at hiding illness. Noticing a subtle change in posture, feather condition, or behaviour can make a big difference in catching health issues early.
Once checks are complete, feeding begins and our nice peaceful morning can get very loud… especially for whomever is on the parrot round… my favourite round on Christmas Day. Of course, the animals don’t know it’s Christmas, but they certainly benefit from it. On the bird team, we mark the occasion by preparing special enrichment activities. Wrapped boxes filled with treats, or festive themed toys appear in enclosures and watching animals investigate them is certainly a highlight of my day. Seeing a parrot joyfully tear into a cardboard present is a reminder that enrichment doesn’t always have to be complicated. Food is often hidden, scattered or placed in enrichment devices to encourage natural foraging behaviours but themed enrichment is almost as fun for us keepers to watch as it is for the birds to investigate!
Feeding time is also an opportunity for training, allowing us to reinforce positive behaviors and build trust. Daily training on the bird team involves a lot of station training where some of the more difficult animals to observe come to a designated spot for us at feed times so we can get a good close look at them.
Cleaning is a major part of the daily routine. Enclosures, perches, feeding stations and water features all need regular maintenance to ensure a safe and healthy environment and Christmas Day is no exception. While it may not be the most glamorous task, cleanliness directly impacts bird health and welfare. I’m sure many of us keepers find satisfaction in seeing a freshly cleaned aviary and watching birds explore their space again once the work is done.
When all of the animals have had their breakfast, a good clean and then another round of feeding for their lunch it’s then time to feed us! This is when I realise there’s an especially strong sense of teamwork on Christmas Day. Everyone working has made a conscious choice to be there and that shared commitment creates a special bond. After a morning of exchanging festive greetings, we usually bring in treats from home to have fancy lunch… and I love seeing everyone’s Christmas jumpers.
After lunch, we would usually get ready for our penguin talk. Throughout our day we would usually take on the role of informal educators. These interactions with visitors are a meaningful part of the job for me as they foster appreciation for an underrated group of animals as well as bird conservation awareness. So it’s really weird for me on Christmas Day not having anyone to chat penguin to… or some of the other random bird knowledge lurking around in my brain.
Next, it’s time to start on the animals food for the next day. Preparing diets for birds is far more detailed than simply filling bowls with seed. Each species has specific nutritional needs, from fruit and nectar for lorikeets to meat and insects for frogmouths and most of the birds have carefully measured pellets designed for each species dietary needs. We usually prepare as much of our food for Boxing Day as possible on Christmas Eve, this along with no bins to change, means we can usually clock off slightly earlier which is a pleasant novelty of working Christmas Day.
After checking that everything is prepared for the next day, that just leaves our last rounds of feeds and checks. As the day winds down and the sun sets early, we might head home a bit later than most but it’s often satisfying knowing we’ve spent Christmas doing something that truly matters.
By Becky, Head of Birds
