Disgusting Birds | February Half Term at Birdland

This half term prepare to be fascinated and repulsed by Birdland, Park & Gardens' Disgusting Birds Week! From Saturday 11 Feb – Sunday 19 Feb, 2017 the Gloucestershire attraction will be revealing the most revolting birds that inhabit the Park.

Discover the Spectacled Owl; this disgusting bird eats its food whole then later regurgitates the fur and bone in a pellet.

Meet the Marabou Stork; an African bird that cools itself by pooing on its legs! The legs contain some major blood vessels and by pooing on them the bird can cool its blood.

Come face to face with the Cassowary; this bird doesn't have a good digestive system and its food passes through it very quickly… so it eats its own poo to get the extra nourishment.

Learn about the Lilac-breasted Roller; who vomits on its chicks in the nest to make them smell foul, deterring predators.

Throughout the week there will be toxic talks and terrible trails highlighting some of the more horrible habitants and their history. Visitors can also meet some real feathered fiends during the special Meet the Creatures sessions.

Head Keeper Alistair Keen says: “Despite their often angelic reputations, there are some birds who are among the most disgusting creatures in the World with some really repulsive behaviours. Lots have developed evious defences and vile habits.”

He continues: “Families can discover some disgusting birds at Birdland and join us to see some of the gross gourmands in action.”

From blood-sucking songbirds and puking penguins there are plenty of putrid personalities to find!

What: Disgusting Birds Week at Birdland – 11 – 19 February, 2017

Why Visit: Discover a foul flock of birds, some yucky Keeper Talks and fascinating facts this February Half Term. 

Admission: Adult £9.95, Child £6.95, Senior £8.95 – Save 10% book online

Website: birdland.co.uk

Birdland, Park & Gardens, Rissington Road, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos, GL54 2BN

01451 820480 | info@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.