Birdland, in Bourton-on-the-Water, is celebrating birds behaving badly over the February Half Term Holidays starting Saturday 13 until Sunday 21 February 2016.

From blood-sucking songbirds and puking penguins to stinking storks and spitting swallows, keepers will reveal revolting facts about some of the world's baddest birds.

There will be toxic talks and terrible trails highlighting the horrible aspects of natural history and visitors will also be able to meet some real feathered critters during special meet the creatures sessions.

“Despite their often angelic reputations, birds are definitely among the worst behaved animals on the planet with some truly disgusting table manners.

The have also devised devilish defences and awfully amazing attacking abilities,” said Head Keeper, Alistair Keen.

“The Marabou Stork defecates on itself in order to cool its legs, fulmar chicks aim projectile vomit at the face of any potential threats and oxpecker birds will open old wounds on cattle in Africa in order to drink their blood!

“The so-called 'stink bird' from New Guinea eats toxic beetles and then converts it into poison which covers its wings.”

With its combination of woodland, riverside and gardens, Birdland features more than 500 birds, ranging from the UK's only breeding colony of king penguins and parrots to cassowaries and cranes in a mix of free-flying and aviary displays.

Birdland.co.uk

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Melodie Manners | melodie@flamingo-marketing.co.uk | 01637 873379 or 07815 709548

Editors Notes:

• Birdland opened in 1957 and was one of the first bird encounters to open in the UK.
• Birdland Park is a 9.5-acre site situated on and around the River Windrush in Bourton-on-the-Water.  7 acres are dedicated to the Bird Gardens featuring over 500 birds, 140 species in 50 aviaries.  The 2.5-acre Nature Reserve is home to many indigenous species from kingfishers to otters.
• Birdland has the only breeding group of King Penguins in the country.  Spike the King Penguin, who was hand-reared, is a popular resident with his own Facebook and Twitter following.
• There are a number of rare species at Birdland and the teamare actively involved with global breeding programmes.