Lucky 13 as Leo finally finds love at Gardens
ARARE bird in Southport is delighted at finding a mate of the same species for the first time after 13 years looking for love.
Leo, a colourful macaw, has been at the Botanic Gardens Aviary in Churchtown since February last year and is a popular figure with visitors.
Thanks to volunteers at the aviary, he has now been joined by a new friend to spend his days with.
The aviary is currently undergoing improvement works thanks to the Botanic Gardens Community Association, Green Sefton and £8,000 in donations from wellwishers. The facility is currently closed due to Government guidelines.
When the aviary is back open again, visitors will be able to see the happy couple first hand.
A Botanic Gardens Aviary spokesperson said: “In February 2020 Leo came to us after spending the first 12 years of his life in a smaller cage.
“He seemed to love all of the space he had after a few days of being with us.
“The aviary team had all hoped another Blue and Gold Macaw would come up looking for a new home.
“Recently we got a phone call from a lady in the Lake District offering us a macaw which needed rehoming quite urgently.
“We were very surprised as this is a very rare opportunity.
“Whilst the aviary is currently closed with some of the birds indoors because of the current situation and the upcoming refurbishment, we thought this was the perfect time for a new companion for Leo to come in.
“This means she has plenty of time to settle before we can reopen and Leo isn’t lonely whilst people can’t visit him and he’s indoors.
“Two of us from the aviary team went to the Lake District to collect our new macaw.
“When we got back we introduced them and observed them for a while. They took to each other straight away.
“This is the first time in Leo’s life (13 years) that he’s had a mate of the same species.”
Macaws are a group of New World parrots that are long-tailed and often colorful and are popular as companion parrots.
Macaws are native to Central America and Mexico, South America, and formerly the Caribbean.