Step inside Westminster Abbey, one of the most historic and breathtaking churches in the world. For more than 1,000 years, this magnificent Gothic masterpiece has stood at the heart of British history, serving as the coronation church of kings and queens, the resting place of legendary figures, and a symbol of faith, culture, and national heritage.
Families! Go behind the scenes to meet some of the Abbey's choristers and get a glimpse of a typical day for the boys in our Choir School.
Did you know that parrots are excellent parents? Did you know they can hold stuff with their feet? In Parrots for Kids, you will learn lots of interesting facts about parrots. It's a pretty well-known fact that these birds are very beautiful with their vibrant feathers of all colors! They're social birds too, so they like to live in flocks. You might wonder why parrots can mimic sounds they hear. This is actually because of an extraordinary part in their brain called the song system. It allows them to learn and replicate sounds they hear in their environment. The skill is a way for parrots to communicate with each other and even bond within their flocks. They can use different sounds to express their emotions and intentions. Some species, like the Spix's macaw (or blue macaw), are very rare and critically endangered. This is due to several factors, such as habitat loss or the illegal pet trade. Not all species are in trouble, but for those that are, we need to do what we can to provide extra protection for their survival. We hope you and your student(s) enjoyed learning about these beautiful birds! If you want to learn even more, head over to our website and download one of our many lesson plans about animals, full of activities, worksheets, and more!
Do you ever feel blue? The hyacinth macaw does, and that's a good thing! The largest of all parrots, hyacinth macaws are covered with bright blue feathers (that's where they get their name—hyacinth is a shade of blue.) and rings of yellow skin around their eyes. Their feet have two toes that point forward and two that point backward. They grow to up to 39 inches long (including their tail) and can weigh 3 1/2 pounds! Hyacinth macaws live in the trees in swamps, forests, and near rivers in Southern Brazil and Western Bolivia. They eat seeds, nuts, and berries. They travel together in flocks of 1 to 8 birds and call loudly to talk to each other. Not only are these birds big, they live a long time—up to 50 years or more! You can see hyacinth macaws in person at the Zoo, and you can even watch one in a movie: Rio the 4-D Experience is now playing in Discovery Outpost.
African masks are not just art they are sacred vessels of history, power, and spiritual transformation. In this video, we explore the hidden history of African masks, uncovering the ancient traditions, spiritual beliefs, and cultural meanings behind some of Africa’s most powerful ceremonial objects. Across West, Central, and Southern Africa, masks have played vital roles in rites of passage, funerals, harvest festivals, and royal ceremonies for thousands of years.