Abstract
Spectacular! That is the best word
to describe the unique and beautiful
collection of birds housed in the
Schmidt aviaries. With over seventy
species of softbills, including nineteen
species of fruit doves, it is one of
the best of its kind in north America.
Species virtually never before seen in
American collections, such as Malaysian
crested jays, long tailed broadbills,
and spangled cotingas, are
housed in spacious, planted flights,
set in the tropical climate of Tampa,
Florida.
Richard Schmidt, with the help of
his wife Mary Jo, has carefully put
together a breeding program that
should assure the availability of a
number of beautiful birds for the
discerning aviculturist. Located on a
former commercial cockatiel farm
east of Tampa, the Schmidts have two
acres to develop and progress is
underway. A number of flights have
been put together, en bane, surrounding
a central aviary and work space.
Radiating outward, the numerous
flights, nearly twenty feet in length,
contain mixed species in some cases,
and single pairs in others. Several
pairs of touracos are housed in one
end of the complex, a single pair to a
flight, while in other areas, species of
. thrushes, cotingas, and others may be
housed together. Most of the flights
are heavily planted, affording security
for the birds in a natural setting that is
quite pleasing to the eye.