Zoo boosted by late chicks

Bird keepers at Paignton Zoo have seen a burst of late-season hatchings.

It’s thought to be thanks to the weather.

Curator of Birds Jo Gregson said: “It’s because we had a cold spring followed by a good summer. Many species have bred later this year.”

The current crop of chicks includes toco toucans, red-legged seriemas, southern screamers and black crowned cranes.

The toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) can be difficult to breed; Paignton is the only UK zoo to have bred the species this year. Native to South America, toco toucans are the most recognizable of the toucan species, with black plumage, white throats and bright orange bills. Toco toucans are the largest toucans and have the biggest beak in relation to body size of any bird.

The red-legged seriema comes from the grasslands of Brazil and is known for its characteristic loud call.

The black crowned crane (Balearica pavonina) comes from West Africa. It lives in dry savannah in Africa south of the Sahara and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring 0844 474 2222.