Blackpool Zoo to welcome world’s rarest birds

Work has begun at the zoo to reshuffle current residents and make room for four new aviaries.

Two new aviaries are being built across from the small primate house. These will be dedicated to birds whose plight is highlighted by the Silent Forest campaign; songbirds in Asia that are threatened with extinction due to excessive consumption for trade, pets, traditional medicine and food.

Two of the world’s most endangered birds, the Bali myna and the blue-crowned laughingthrush will take up residence alongside Javan sparrow, chestnut-backed thrush, Malay peacock-pheasant, Luzon bleeding-heart dove, collared finchbill, emei shan liocichla, white-rumped shama and black-naped fruit-dove.

Luke Forster, Head of the Bird Section at Blackpool Zoo, said: “We have worked very closely with breeding programme coordinators across EAZA to bring together a collection of songbirds that will help to raise awareness of the plight of their wild counterparts.

“The issues they face are not going away and it is inevitable that some of these beautiful birds will be hounded to extinction if nothing is done.

“I am confident that once people see and hear these stunning birds it will inspire them to find out more and hopefully support the campaign.”

The aviaries will be planted with an abundance of flora including fruit trees, bamboo and other Asian native plants.

Bird keepers are also working on a new rainbow lorikeet walkthrough and the refurbishment of Amazonia, which houses various species from regions surrounding the Amazon. The squirrel monkeys, which currently live in Amazonia will be integrated into the other squirrel monkey groups across the zoo and the building will reopen as World of Wings in time for summer.