One of the most visited and photographed attractions in Las Vegas is the water fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel on “the strip.” The idea behind the fountain started in the 1990’s with construction commencing in 1995. It took three years for the project to be completed at a price tag of around $40 million and was the largest fountain show in the world until 2009. The show uses nearly 4,800 lights and over 1,200 water jets, firing water as high as 460 feet into the air!

Photo by: Antonio Janeski. Bellagio Hotel

Occasionally the Bellagio has had to shut the fountain shows down for various reasons, including during the pandemic, but most recently it’s been shut down due to……a duck? Yes, one duck has curtailed performances until wildlife officials figure out what to do with it. The duck that’s causing feathers to be ruffled is a the yellow-billed loon, which happens to be one of the rarest birds in North America. It’s also on the international species list of concern thanks to it’s low numbers. For some odd reason, this duck wanted a break from its wild life and wanted a “wild life” in Las Vegas at the Bellagio!

The good news is that the bird is in good health and has now found a new home, allowing the resort to resume their water fountain shows. What are the odds of a rare bird taking refuge in the Bellagio Hotel water fountain? Only the odds makers of Las Vegas would know this fun fact, proving that a bird in the fountain is worth two in the Bellagio! (groan)