Press Release: Exotic birds complete ‘epic’ 400 mile journey to new home

A pair of exotic birds have made an ‘epic’ 400 mile journey from the Cotswolds to their new home in Scotland. A male blacksmith plover and female lilac-breasted roller have moved from Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water to an African themed walkthrough aviary at Fife Zoo in Scotland.?

The rare birds will be sharing their brand-new enclosure with other bird species including Hamerkop, Hornbills, Turacos and Whistling Ducks. It is hoped that the new arrivals will join up with suitable mates which have already residing at the zoo since 2021. Despite identifying the birds as suitable mates for those birds which were already residing at the zoo, moving the new additions to the zoo was initially delayed by UK wide restrictions imposed as a result of the national spread of Avian Influenza.?

The lilac-breaster roller is an African bird which is widely-distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, the bird is renowned as the national bird of Kenya and is commonly found in open woodland and savannah areas. The blacksmith plover is a species of lapwing which is common in Kenya and Tanzania, with their numbers in the wild growing drastically since the 1930s.?

Fife Zoo Director, Michael Knight said ‘We’ve been actively searching across Europe for several new birds to join our African themed aviary, but this has proved difficult following the recent Avian influenza outbreak. We’ve also been up against the increased challenges faced with moving animals across Europe since BREXIT. The new arrivals seem to have settled in really well following their epic journey from the Midlands to Fife. Both birds will play an active role in the long-term survival of their species and we hope that they will go on to breed in future seasons.’?

Fife Zoo which is also home to animals such as endangered Grevy’s zebra, meerkats and lemurs is currently expanding as part of a ten-year master plan.

Press enquiries to Martin Blyth-Sweetingham on 07879 816310 or [email protected]?